Hi - I have a pair of Inca 50s that have spawned twice, but in both cases the eggs disappeared (got eaten) within a day or two. There is a hollow log in the tank, but the female has made a depression in the gravel behind the log and lays them on the log. Do I need to get something that the male can't get into? Somewhere I read that a 3 inch terra cotta pot tray, turned upside down with a V shaped opening, would be the best thing. I can't set up another breeding tank. I'm at my tank limit. My other option is to partion my community tank, and move the male into that while the female apisto takes care of the eggs. But I'd rather raise the young with both parents, if possible??? thanks, Laurel
Good caves for apisto Inca 50s?
- Thread starter LaurelB
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Are the two alone in the tank? Give us a better idea of the setup (structure, ph and hardness?). They can usually keep a couple/few dither fish at bay, but any more than that and the eggs/free swimmers will get picked off. A cave that the male cannot fit into is preferable but by no means a neccessity. Most apisto species prefer to lay in caves but some are more apt to lay in overhangs or even depressions. I've never kept inca however so can's speak to that. If the eggs are being eaten it is probably the female eating them. (she will usually not allow the male within range untill the fry are freeswimming). Are the eggs fertile? They will usually have a cream/pink/red color to them depending on diet. White means infertile (eggs will fungus and turn white).
It is not uncommon for cichlids to take a few tries to finally get it right. Just keep conditioning her (variety of frozen foods) and keep up on the water changes.
It is not uncommon for cichlids to take a few tries to finally get it right. Just keep conditioning her (variety of frozen foods) and keep up on the water changes.
Hi - They're alone in a 13 gallon nano cube that's heavily planted. There's a piece of driftwood that standa up and there's a hollow log that both can get in and out of easily, but she lays the eggs on the back of the log, over a depression that she's scoped out of the gravel. The eggs are creamy salmon pink color. Maybe this is just 'getting it right'. It's only happened twice so far, that I know. You can tell when she's laid eggs right away by her color. One thing I might try is slowing down the circulation of the water, I've heard that apistos like slower water.
Well, the eggs sound fertile. I would slow down the flow if possible since most of those "nano" tanks are designed to be reefs. Try leaving the lights on (maybe like a room light) all night after she's laid eggs. Just be patient. She will get it right eventually. Use this time to practice your brine shrimp hatching.