my male 11''and female dovii 8'' have just had another set of fry this will be the 6th time they have spawn successfully. but me the idoit can never tell when to take them out or how long to leave them in can someone help me. out of all the past fry only about 5 survive. help me please :mad2
help with dovii fry
- Thread starter Tinman
- Start date
Generally speaking, dovii tend to be good parents, with the female protecting the fry and the male guarding the territory - it is often hard to remove the parents because they are defending the fry so diligently. How big is your tank? Often when the parents feel something isn't right they will eat the fry themselves - which makes sense in a fish world - if something is threatening to eat the fry, it might as well be the parents to have strength for the next spawn. Their eggs hatch within 3-4 days - I guess you could remove the parents just as they hatch, and then feed the babies when the yolk sacs are absorbed.
fry
the tank is 135 gal. I dont have anything esle to put the parents in. plus the male snatches the net out of my hand and tries to rip a hole in me. I have to use a divider to get some of the fry out. they just hatch yesterday. I purchase a 30 gal to put them in this time. how long do I wait until removale. bc they eat them when she lays more egss. she does that alot but they dont always hatch
the tank is 135 gal. I dont have anything esle to put the parents in. plus the male snatches the net out of my hand and tries to rip a hole in me. I have to use a divider to get some of the fry out. they just hatch yesterday. I purchase a 30 gal to put them in this time. how long do I wait until removale. bc they eat them when she lays more egss. she does that alot but they dont always hatch
I would take the fry out as soon as they are free swimming - be careful though, they will be tender - maybe can you add the divider to the tank and move the parents over a bit, leaving a small area for the fry to grow out a little before you move them - try when the tank lights are out and the fish are not active. Watch your fingers! 
You should continue water changes even though there are fry. The parents will keep them away, but you mihgt not have much luck siphoning by the nest. The cichlids I had always span in the same place (maybe only by chance though). So when they are done with the fry, clean out the area ASAP. I'm sure they won't let you in there now 
You might find out if these fish will spawn again even if there are still fry. I have heard of convicts spawning so often that there are several broods in the same tank. You would definately want the fry out before the next spawn.
You might try to google too for dovii spawning. I have seen them in a few books but never in a store. They seem to be of the more rare cichlids. I'm not sure if many people have spawned them on this board besides you, but I may be wrong.
You might find out if these fish will spawn again even if there are still fry. I have heard of convicts spawning so often that there are several broods in the same tank. You would definately want the fry out before the next spawn.
You might try to google too for dovii spawning. I have seen them in a few books but never in a store. They seem to be of the more rare cichlids. I'm not sure if many people have spawned them on this board besides you, but I may be wrong.
fry
Im going to leave them in there for about one week after they start free swimming. the problem is getting them out. I bought a 30gal to raise the fry in. it has a betta in it right now will that be a problem. if so my dovii will be eating steak tonite. :rant:
Im going to leave them in there for about one week after they start free swimming. the problem is getting them out. I bought a 30gal to raise the fry in. it has a betta in it right now will that be a problem. if so my dovii will be eating steak tonite. :rant:
You betta might be eating steak..... The fry are probably able to be eaten by the betta if the are a week old.
You don't like to be attacked? I would seriously invest in a net and siphon that are longer than normal. I bet these guys are worse than piranha - they run away.
You don't like to be attacked? I would seriously invest in a net and siphon that are longer than normal. I bet these guys are worse than piranha - they run away.