IME, it's normal, and they're most likely just cleaning. My egglaying cichlids have always done this. If they ate the eggs the guarding behavior would probably cease completely, and you'd know for sure.
what to do what to do...ram spawn
- Thread starter mroth_3
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IME, it's normal, and they're most likely just cleaning. My egglaying cichlids have always done this. If they ate the eggs the guarding behavior would probably cease completely, and you'd know for sure.
thanks, good to know. I wish i could see the eggs better. The picked the one spot on the rock i couldn't really see whats going on. Im thinking about moving these guys to their own tank later on. After the future of this spawn is determined so probably a couple weeks. Has it been anyones experience that they continue to breed and stay paired up? Im somewhat hesitant to do so though because of the luck i've had with aclimating them.
I can see the eggs much better now. I think their colour is no longer as transparent so they are easier to see against the rock. I imagine this is a good sign and hopefully means they are fertile. looks to be quite a few. Im sort of suprised given how young the female is. she isnt more than half the size of the male.
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch? I have a feeling the parents ate them all. I woke up this morning and the parents are'nt guarding them anymore and they appear to all be gone. Im thinking its around 3 days usually and its only been about 40 hours since i first noticed them. I guess next time I will remove the eggs....bummer
they'll breed again but congratz on the pair! my male had to be removed cause he nearly killed the females i put with him!
Sounds like the eggs are gone - sorry!.
But they will probably breed again. I was going to suggest you wait until the fry are hatched and free swimming before you remove them (although you need a very fine net), which might take about 4 days from spawning, so you have time to think about it. It's probably easier to keep fry alive than unhatched eggs, once you remove them. As it turns out, that would not have been the best advice! But maybe next time they will be more mature and continue parental care for longer.
But they will probably breed again. I was going to suggest you wait until the fry are hatched and free swimming before you remove them (although you need a very fine net), which might take about 4 days from spawning, so you have time to think about it. It's probably easier to keep fry alive than unhatched eggs, once you remove them. As it turns out, that would not have been the best advice! But maybe next time they will be more mature and continue parental care for longer.
Well I just did a water change and it looks as if they are going to get to business once again. Im considering pulling the eggs this time. Does have any have an opinion they care to share regarding whether or not this would be a good idea? Thanks for the input!
I have given them 3 chances so far to protect the eggs. They do well for the first day and a half or so. They just can pull it off. Next time im going to remove the eggs. I set a tank up the other day so i guess ill give it a shot. Someone suggested i leave the lights on constantly during the incubation period as the parents cant protect them in the dark. I dont know if there is any truth to that but that is when the eggs were disappearing. Good luck
