Information on our floating breeding box (EHK)

Our floating rearing box is primarily used for rearing young fish. It can of course also be used for individual fish, shrimps or crayfish, e.g. for targeted short-term medical treatment with a subsequent fresh water supply.

The rearing of juvenile fish and especially L-catfish requires a relatively large amount of high-quality food. If the fry swim freely in the tank with their parents, they often do not get enough food and breeding success is only moderate. In order to get as many animals through as possible, it makes sense to feed them specifically in a smaller container. A simple hanging box (EHK) without active filtration, such as a guppy breeding box, will become dirty very quickly and the food will rot and go mouldy. The water quality quickly deteriorates for the sensitive young fish. A great deal of maintenance is then required.

This can be remedied by active filtration in the hanging box. The water in the EHK is completely replaced 20-30 times an hour, mulm and food residues migrate to the filter sponges and are biodegraded there, as in other mat filters. This means that a fairly large number of fry can be fed ad libitum in a small space. For example, we regularly rear up to 100 ancistras up to 2-2.5 cm in size in our large rearing box.

The separate air pipe can be used not only for particularly sensitive species, which supplies the water inside the box with additional fresh air and ensures additional localised water movement. This requires either a second diaphragm pump or the use of a T-piece in the existing air supply line.

Another advantage of our floating rearing box is that it floats with the sinking water level when the water in the parent tank is changed. In contrast to a box that is attached to an aquarium wall, ours does not fall dry, assuming of course a normal partial water change of around 30 %.

Being able to hide is also essential for the well-being of the fry. Our EHKs allow for a certain amount of loading in the form of small caves, tubes, cattle shelters or leaf hiding places.

Here are the main advantages of our spawning box:

  • floats in the aquarium and does not require any suspension
  • can be easily and completely dismantled in a few simple steps for optimum cleaning
  • own filter system and separate air supply
  • Taring also allows additional weights such as clay caves as hiding places
  • no clogging of gauze interfaces
  • filters can be changed during operation while the fish remain in the hanging tank

Data EHK rearing box small:

Capacity: approx. 2.4 litres
External dimensions: approx. 23.5 x 13.5 x 12 cm (LxWxH)
Usable area: approx. 11 x 11 cm
Possible load: approx. 200 g

Data EHK large rearing box:

Capacity: approx. 5.6 litres
External dimensions: approx. 30.5 x 17 x 15.5 cm (LxWxH)
Usable area: approx. 19 x 15 cm
possible payload: approx. 400 g

valid for both models:
Air tube ∅ 5 mm (connection via standard 4/6 mm air hose)
Fully assembled, incl. replaceable filter sponge (3 filter sponges in total)

A commercially available air/diaphragm pump is sufficient for operation. If both connections are to be used, a pump with 2 connections is required or - if only 1 connection is available - a distributor piece (T-piece).