Kribensis wrigglers!

[Fishlock Holmes]

My kribensis have bred much more quickly than I expected (I suppose this isn't a shock for some, lol)! I brought them home two weeks ago. About 5 days ago, I changed my substrate from average-sized gravel to a smaller sized gravel (almost a gravel/sand hybrid). So, as I was doing a water change last night, I was quite surprised that my pair of kribs had already felt at home enough to lay eggs! I obviously haven't been paying close enough attention, though, because yesterday's eggs are now wrigglers!! I had a 10gal I was planning to set up to prepare for raising the fry, but I'm now scrambling to get it ready in time and I have a few questions.

First, I bought a couple sponge filters, but I've never used them before. I realize bare-bottom tanks are probably the most efficient/easiest to maintain, but this tank will be in the dining room, and I want it looking a little nicer. :) I want gravel and eventually live plants. I've seen pictures of sponge filters buried under the gravel, but are they as effective this way?

Second, when should I transfer the fry to their own tank? Mom and dad are doing a great job right now, but I know at some point the babies will be better off in their own tank. I've heard several different opinions as to when to move them. At this point, the 10g isn't even cycled, so I'm hoping I can get it ready in time. Any tips?

Also, I'm reading that crushed/powdered flakes work fine for kribs. This might sound silly, but at what point to I begin feeding them? As soon as they're free swimming? I've only ever had livebearer fry before, so I'm a little unsure when it comes to egg layers!

Thanks for any help!

[Fishlock Holmes]

Oops, I think I should have posted this under African Riverine Cichlids. My apologies... Can it be moved?

[sorberj]

I actually tend to separate my little ones from momma and poppa fairly quickly just because they're in a community tank and I don't want them to get eaten plus it cuts down on the agression from the parents towards other fish in the tank. The parents will generally do a good job of raising them if they're in their own tank. If it's a community, wait until they're free swimming and able to come at least three or four inches off the bottom on their own. It wouldn't hurt to feed some First Bites into the tank, just swish it above the little ones and it'll make its way down to them.

As for substrate, for a fry grow out tank, I really do recommend keeping it bare bottomed. You can get one or two of those weighted plastic plants or some java fern or anubias on some sunken driftwood for decor if you really want to. It can actually look fairly sharp that way, and it's easier to keep the tank clean.

One thing's for sure though, you'll want to get that 10 gallon cycled soon, you'll need the space!

[Fishlock Holmes]

Things are happening so fast! Yesterday I had wrigglers, but today they are free swimming and all over the place.

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Being a protective parent suits Dad well... He's colored up beautifully, with lots of red/pink around his face and belly.

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Mom is looking good too!

They're doing a great job. The only other inhabitants in this tank are 4 platies and 3 cherry barbs, and they're staying well away from everyone. I think I might just leave the babies where they are until I can get this 10g cycled. Once they're a little bigger, I'll give some of the babies to my sister for her 20g.

Unfortunately, I did go ahead and put gravel in the bottom of the 10. I guess I could always scoop it back out. I'll see how it goes, I guess. Babies are fun!!

[Fishlock Holmes]

The babies are still doing great today. Some are starting to venture away from the rest of the group, which is a little scary! Mom and dad are super protective, and have the other fish confined to one corner of the tank, lol. Unfortunately, a water test today shows that my 10g is nowhere close to cycled yet, so for now they'll have to tough it out in the main tank. I thought about moving the 3 cherry barbs into the 10g... I feel like enduring a cycle might be less stressful than having kribs chase you around all the time. Thoughts?

I've been filling a syringe with crushed/powdered flakes mixed with water and squirting it in the direction of the babies, but it's hard to tell whether they're eating anything. They get very active when the mixture hits them, so I think maybe they're chasing down food?

[mikeynike]

Nice looking fish, good luck with the babies.