FINALLY some babies...now what?

[Ponera]

Hey all,

Finally after 6 years of trying to get cichlids to breed (had issues like males pairing up or just keyholes dying for no reason at all) my juvenile Neolamprologus brichardi have made two separate batches of babies, one looks about a day ahead of the other (the smaller one has smaller babies and probably still not fully free swimming.) So two pairs made a total of two first clutches, approximately 40 babies so far. This in in a 45 gallon tank where I am doing aggressive water changes.

What do I do now? will finely crushed up cichlid pellets work if administered by a turkey baster? What can I expect for a breeding cycle?

 

[tlindsey]

Hey all,

Finally after 6 years of trying to get cichlids to breed (had issues like males pairing up or just keyholes dying for no reason at all) my juvenile Neolamprologus brichardi have made two separate batches of babies, one looks about a day ahead of the other (the smaller one has smaller babies and probably still not fully free swimming.) So two pairs made a total of two first clutches, approximately 40 babies so far. This in in a 45 gallon tank where I am doing aggressive water changes.

What do I do now? will finely crushed up cichlid pellets work if administered by a turkey baster? What can I expect for a breeding cycle?

Congrats!


I would keep on with what you are doing and yes crushed flakes and pellets will be fine. Also live baby brine will be better if you had the time to hatch them.

 

[Ponera]

I don't have the ability to hatch them. What kind of cycle should I expect for new broods etc, from hatch to wiggler to free swimming to mini (non fry) fish?

 

[tlindsey]

I don't have the ability to hatch them. What kind of cycle should I expect for new broods etc, from hatch to wiggler to free swimming to mini (non fry) fish?

Tbh don't know if Brichardi are mouthbrooders so hope this will help.http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/mouthbrooders.php

 

[Ponera]

Definitely doesn't look like it to me, they are shell dwellers I believe. Interestingly, the adults keep bringing mouthfuls of mature sand and dropping it to the area while the babies go apshit eating.

I also think the second brood might be stolen kids from the main brood. Do they do that? My black cone snails have had to be pulled out of the shell twice now and since spawning happened they have done **** all to the algae.

 

[tlindsey]

Found this very interesting apparently they don't eat each other's fry. Notice the size difference of the fry in the video.

 

[Ponera]

yes, N. lamprologus is a swarm brooder, so they have a pair that breeds and all the kids for years help raise em.

 

[Ash]

That’s fantastic! I ve always tried different things to get my chi kids to breed. If they breed I just keep going with that routine because there are so many variables that could have triggered it.

I ve always fed my fry crushed pellets. I just make sure to stay on top of food siphons (I did at end of day after feeds) and water changes.

 

[Ponera]

hey, thanks! There is already fry stealing and fry growth. I have two pairs and two ostracized ones. Can't wait for brood wars, lol

 

[Max L]

I just had a batch of fry for the 1st time after an OB Zebra gave birth. I’ve got 11 fry in a 10 gallon and am feeding crushed pellets.