Herotilapia Spawn

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

:hi:
Well after mentioning previously that i was witnessing possible breeding behaviour with my Rainbows, i've come home this afternoon to find the Male guarding a small shoal of fry :clap::clap:
Really bad phone quality pics in bad light with a distressed male i wasn't pushing for a Photo of the Month winner.
I approximate to be over 15 at least :thumbup:

also heres a random shot of my L023 Common eating Sweet Potato :thumbup:

Really excited

 

[Stan]

Congrats!! good luck with them!!

 

[Scroggybank]

Better get the brine shrimp on :thumbup:

 

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

Well the 1st batch all got eaten but then it is a community tank not a breeding set-up, but it wasn't long before they laid more eggs

which have hatched, so i put up a partition to keep the other fish out (though my little Royal is still hiding on the back of that wood) and i currently have a large amount of wrigglers in the gravel :clap:
Poor Cam Vid

 

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

The numbers have gone down a bit, just normal die off (survival of the fittest)
and their now 2 weeks old. Didn't have much success with the Hatchery idea, eggs hatched but how do you strain brine shrimp babies from brine water to feed to fry, net wasn't fine enough and they all went down sink :wb:
so i gave up and just keep feeding the brine eggs and crushed veg flake for now.
Next problem, when will it be ok to do a water change? really want to do a big change on this tank as its been a while now with not wanting to stress the delicate babies.

 

[Irene0100]

well done. congrats.
try micro worms? easier to grow than brine shrimp.
I would do small, same temp, water changes, gently jug some water out then gently replace it.
large w/c too much shock, but no w/c and qual will deteriorate....

 

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

Babies are 3 weeks old now and around 1.5cm, the partition has mostly done its job, on 3 occasions i've got home in the morning to find the Pictus has jumped over but can't seem to jump back.
He hasn't taken any of the young as far as i can tell so am wondering if it was one of the others that had the 1st batch of fry or possibly the dad :dk:
Does anybody think it would be ok to remove the partition now give them free run of the whole tank? there are places they can hide from bigger fish and it will give the mum a breather, let her stretch her fins. Will it be harder to ensure they get their food if their out in "the community"?
Thanks 4 any advice

 

[Irene0100]

I would wait a week or so longer if you can. But I cant see how much tank space they have with the partition. (photo of tank?)
I used to get blue ram fry to 2-3 weeks but then they would all die off, so they are still at a sensitive age.

 

[Rabbit]

Well done on the spawn.

 

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

But I cant see how much tank space they have with the partition. (photo of tank?)

:hi: Irene
Just took this full tank shot for you, the partition is on the left, you can just make out the Pictus who has jumped over again lol

And you can probably spot one or two snails as well :wb: tank is getting over run with them, so i've ordered a couple of Assassin Snails to combat the situation :clap: should arrive tomorrow. I've been tempted on a couple of occasions to just say Stuff it and pull the partition out but i would like to see these guys make it so will take your advice gracefully and will leave it another week at least.

p.s. Thanks Rabbit

 

[Terry Got Hip kissed]

Well the partition is long out now, noticed at least 4 young had made it across to the main side and were'nt getting any bother so seemed right to finally let them loose.
Dad went mad now he can swim with mum again, none of the other fish have bothered them and they seem to like the full use of the tank, though tend to congregate in the middle.
Just took a crappy webcam vid after feeding, enjoy
Babies