Holding Females

[slicklid]

I have 2 female Demasoni holding in my tank right now. This is their first time so I know the fry will be few. I want them to survive though. I took the female that I first noticed was holding a week ago and put her in a 10g tank that will be for the fry. She seems happy enough. The other female I only noticed was holding about 5 days ago; I left her in the main tank.

Should I put BOTH females in the fry tank? Should I pull the mother(s) out right after they release or leave them for a while? I plan on putting the fry in a fry basket in the fry tank anyways. Thanks.

PS: I have read a LOT on breeding and raising fry so I feel pretty comfortable with it all, just these few questions I couldn't find answers to.

 

[slicklid]

No expert breeders out there?

 

[kay-bee]

I recommend removing the first female within 24-48hrs after she releases her fry. If you've got a well-sized group of demasonis, her reintroduction to the main tank shouldn't be noticed much.

In tanks with a low quantity of females (or when the female can be easily identified as being 'reintroduced') the female may be harassed by the male (attempt to breed again) or by other fish in the tank (reacting to her as a new fish). In these circumstances the female should be allowed to recuperate for a while (they're usually in a weakened state after the holding period). But as mentioned above, if her presence can be undetected in the main tank (due to adequate demasoni quantity), remove her and add female #2 to the fry tank.

Two female demasoni's will be prone to fight to the death. I tried it once and they attacked each other on sight, even with fry in their mouths (I had to establish a 2nd fry tank for that female).

It's best to just add lots of cover in the fry tank (rocks, decorations, etc) rather than use a fry net (though you can do what you want, just a recommendation). The 2nd female won't harm the 1st female's fry (if anything she'll mistake them for hers and try to reclaim them).