HELP - going on vacation tmrw, Apisto guarding cave for 5 days, but no fry?

S

slipstreamv2

AC Members
Jul 16, 2007
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Manhattan, NYC / Northern NJ
My apisto female is in her 5th day of guarding her cave. The first day, she barely came out, even during feeding time, and maybe got one flake.

Gradually, she's been coming out more, popping in and out during feeding time. Even when not feeding, she ventures out more (it seems like it's still mostly to "patrol" and chase off anyone who gets too close). But now, if she pops out and chase someone to the other side of the 20g tank, sometimes she's roam around for up to about 30 seconds before she returns to her cave.

Just wanted to see if this is all within "normal" behavior, or if she's lost/eaten her eggs, or not parenting correctly. As far as I know, this is her first spawn.

I forgot to add, I'm going on vacation for 10 days...not sure if they fry will make it. They are currently in a moderately heavily planted 20g long (lots of java moss) with the male apisto and two submissive females.

I would put in a tank divider with the mom/cave taking up 1/3, and the other 3 apistos in the remaining 2/3, but I only have one battery operated Eheim automatic feeder.

I don't mind losing some of the fry, but I'd like to grow out a good number of them, and I don't want any adult being harassed to death (by the protective mother) either.
 
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Congratulations.
Depending on water temp eggs can hatch in 4-6 days, this is not set in stone but is pretty accurate.
Once they hatch they are wigglers from this point it took mine 5 full days to become free swimming.
The only thing I can suggest is to move as much java moss as you can as close to the cave opening as possible and hope for the best.
 
Thanks for the reply and suggestion, jb-ny. I'll move the java moss.

After the eggs have hatched in 4-6 days, does the mother act any different? Will she continue this behavior until they become free swimming in 5 or so days, at which point she'll lead the fry out to eat infusoria?

She hasn't come out for about 5 hours now...she usually peeps her head out of the cave entrance...hope nothing's wrong. I even did a water change, and fed, but no sight of her. Any thoughts?

I want to come back from vacation and see FRY !!!!
 
I don't think anything is wrong with her moving around and being gone for 30 seconds or so. My female did similar things.
You could move things around in the tank to block line of sight or make it easier for mama to defend.
What I would do is get a knitting plastic canvas from Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics.
Cut holes small enough for food to get through and use that as a barrier.

By the way what type apisto is this?
 
I just came home from 3 weeks away to find 2 batches of new cacatuiodes fry. I can't find any of the previous group but there's lots of plants. Good luck to both of us!
 
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