Pleco babies, the dad's a problem

[crimsonmoon]

My bristlenose plecos spawned a week or two ago, and i have fry. they are probably 5-8 days hatched, and their yolks are all gone. but the dad will not let any of them out of the crevice in the driftwood where they were laid. how do i convince the dad to move on? i tried poking him out with a piece of blanched zuc that was in the tank and being eaten on. but he wouldn't budge

[toddnbecka]

He'll move sooner or later, don't worry too much. I've seen some BN fry stay in the cave with the male for up to 2 weeks after the yolk sacs were absorbed. It wasn't because they couldn't get out, and I have no clue what they ate while they were in there (while others from the same spawn had moved along on their own) but they didn't starve.

[crimsonmoon]

ok thank you. :)

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

But dont leave it too long, try to move the offspring to another grow out tank, well i dont know what tank the bn's are in.. So lets hear..lol
Hope all goes well for u

[crimsonmoon]

the dad has stopped guarding the fry so close, and they are out and about the tank now. They are in a densley planted 55 gallon with six adult bn's and some brigs. they're growing fast!

[pinkertd]

We get anxious about them bein glet out of the cave, but let themn follow their instinct. If nothing else, for the first few days when they can eat, there is at least biolfilm constantly growing inside the cave to feed them. They don't need that much to eat the first few days. Dad gets hungry too, so he won't make them stay in there forever.

[melissadotson]

pics of the babies?

[ESOXLUCIOUSS]

pics ,,where....lol

[crimsonmoon]

they are all over the tank now, so ill try to find the camera and get pics for you guys

thanks pink :)

[crimsonmoon]

i just went and took some really good (for me) up close pics but i cant get the computer to recognize the memory card. im going to have to wait until my brother gets home later and ask him what the deal is. but pics are on the way!!!!