stripping cichlids

[derek681]

I have a bit of a dilema in that i havn't got anywhere to put my female maingano so she can spit out her fry naturley as my main tank is full and my fry tank is full with her previous batch of fry and they aren't yet big enough to go in with the other fish, i don't have the time to set up another tank for her i have tried to strip her already but she just won't let go and i don't want to over do it so she gets to stressed and gives up the ghost, the way i do it is grasp the female gently with a wet hand and very gently hold her gill flaps closed with her head in the water untill she opens her mouth and out falls the fry usually but not this time any suggestions would be greatley appreciated.

Cheers, Derek.

[scholar]

Put her in the fry tank and let her release. the only times i would strip is when the mom's health is in question. :(

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Try exactly what you are doing, very gently, but use your finger nail or a very dull pencil to gently lower her bottom lip. Do this while very very gently squeezing over the gill area to 'push' out the babies.

You likely wont get all of them, but I like to leave a few with the mother anyways.

The only problem is, you should put her in a quarentine tank anyways after stripping to let her rest a bit.

I was so nervous the first time I stripped (hehehe ;) ), but I soon got the hang of it.

And I agree, only do it when nessecary.
:)
-Diana