Help-Cichlid babies

[baybgrl81]

Well Two days ago I noticed my female albino zebra holding a mouth full of eggs, so I quickly setup a 10g and put her in there. I wanted to know how long I should wait before stripping the fry from her,once they've hatched of course. There is a rather large filter on the tank, a HOB. I was going to put a sponge on the intake with a pair of stockings over it. Will this stop the fry from being pulled up the filter? Well I think that covers it all,thanks:hypnotized:

[tarheels910]

Depends on how big she is. Could be anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. The sponge should prevent the babies from being sucked up.

[mostlycichlids]

Three to four weeks. You wont need to strip her unless she don't release them on her own. She may release them and let them come back in for a week or so after she starts to spit them which is normal behavior. I would wait and see what happens.

[baybgrl81]

I was reading on the net that if i increase the temp to around 80 it will speed up the "cycle" and she will spit them sooner... is this true?

[kay-bee]

Probably not. My tank temps are in the 81-84F range and I had a yellow lab hold for over a month (though that was an exceptional duration).

They'll release the fry when the fry are developed and the mother is comfortable with her surrounds (fry are typically released between 18-21 days, plus or minus several depending on variables).

Stripping is usually unnecessary but is done to either maximize the quantity of fry (and they can be stripped while still eggs, relocated to a tumbler device for development) or to bring relief to a mother which has been holding for quite awhile. Most mouthbrooders do fine all on their own.

[baybgrl81]

Ok, well I just got a breeding pair of convicts and was wanting to know if I could add another female or two?