Successful (unplanned) Malawi Spawning

[smithrx2]

Hi everyone,

I have a 75g African cichlid tank that has been up for about 18 months. Ph = 8.2, Temp = 80. I used a crushed coral substrate and the tank is heavily decorated with lace rock creating many caves.

The tank houses 1 male and 2 female Nimbochromis venustus, 1 male and 1 female melanochomis auratus, 2 Pseudotropeus "powder blue" zebras, 3 Pseudotropeus "red" zebras, and 1 Synodontis angelicus. The fish range in size from 2 inches (Melanachromis) to four inches (Nimbochromis). They receive a varied diet including frozen brine shimp, dried shimp, generic cichlid flakes, and algae disks.

I've noticed "spawning" behavior in the past. Vigoriously digging pitts in ceratin areas of the tank, etc. I think that two of the Nimbochromis venustus may have paired. The third one is getting chased/picked on.

My last water change was a 30% change (change was overdue) completed seven days ago.

Tonight when I started to feed the fish there was a baby!!! It is approximately 1/4" long. The new arrival is swimming well and looks great! He was apparently hiding under one of the lace rocks.

I was not optimistic about his survival chances with his tankmates so I placed him in a quarantine net container and hung it from the top of the tank. I added a small rock to the net to reduce his stress. Then I did a 25% water change today.

So what now??? I wasn't trying to breed fish, but I want to give him the best chance for survival. What should I do? Please help.

Thanks!

Robert

 

[britta6867]

if you can my best bet would be to move him to another tank or get a divider.i have been raising cichlids for a few months now and unless they are about 2 inches long,their survival rate is not good in the main tank.in the meantime,feed him powdered flakes and mabye even some frozen brin shrimp.
i currently have 27 red zebra fry's that are 4 weeks old and they are doing well but they are also in another tank.well good luck and congratulations!!!

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

He'll be okay floating in the trap... but be careful because the larger fish can bite the fry through the net. I would reccommend a plastic box one. And a little rock is good or some java fern would be good as well.

Yes finely crushed flake daily is an idea...or baby brine shrimp.... as long as its small enough he can eat it easily.

Be careful you 'power blue' zebras might just be males of the 'red zebras' (males are blue females are red) or they could be a different species maybe scolofi?... in which they will most lieky cross-breed and produce hybrids.



-Diana