suemack Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 thought one of my keyholes was sick as she was hiding in the planted grove in the new tank - and then got a better look tonight!!!!!!!she's mouthing eggs :lol: .......I can't believe it .....I really thought she was sick - The fish all got moved to the bigger tank 5 days ago and they were pretty stressed by the upheaval - I lost the chocolate gourami in the tank (from the stress I thought - he had a wound on his side and was swimming sideways) - water tests all fine so had put it down to stress and getting chilled while I was getting the new tank set up (moved everything from a 10 g to a 36 x 15 x 15) .......she's got eggs :lol: you have to excuse me - this is my first official egg laying (not counting cory eggs on the glass and the very odd pigmy cory appearing) - with the guppies and neons in the tank if by some miracle some hatch out they will probably get eaten...but ......I've got eggs :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Great stuff Sue... Congrats :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suemack Posted October 31, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 about 1/3 of the tank is completely out of bounds to ALL other fish - if they venture up there they are one of the keyholes is there defending the territory poor little cories are a bit slow to learn! Most of the guppies are now big enough to go to the lfs - will catch them later and hope I don't disturb the KH New territory for me (guppies don't do these things) so I have some dumb questions - ok to w/change or should I leave the parents in peace - one of the KH is missing a couple of scales on his head (looks healthy - from one of his skirmishes I think) is it safe to add a v. small amount of salt when doing w/change - Gotta go to work now but will be back with more questions :roll: thanks - sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Congratulations Sue! Here is what my book has to say... Incubation 5 days Feed fry 1st week newly hatched brineshrimp 2nd week sifted zooplankton (which I think is anything live that's small like microworms) from 3rd week chopped tubifex worms (I would use white worms but not sure if I would chop them) Peaceful timid fish (except when breeding it seems!). They spawn on flat stones and the female deposits up to 400 eggs. The fish are monogamous and tend their fry for a long time. As soon as the fry are 1cm long they may be removed to a separate tank. If generously fed live foods their growth is rapid. Sudden fright causes the fish to change colour. Anyone here bred them and able to give first hand knowledge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 http://www.wetpetz.com/keyhole.html Try this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suemack Posted November 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 thanks Caryl I'm discovering that cichlids (even the mild mannered ones) are very different to guppies when they're breeding :roll: Absolutely fascinating watching the goings on in the tank though - unless you are one of the other fish in said tank Mrs Keyhole had been in her spot for about 48hrs - just hadn't realized why until last night! so am not sure exactly when the eggs were laid.....but am not counting my chickens (or keyholes) till they hatch :lol: more ideas and insight into these amazing fish ............oh dear......I'm sposed to be a guppyoholic :oops: sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 Now you will be a cichlidiot as well :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 Does that mean a catfish lover is CATANKEROUS ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suemack Posted November 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 :-? both the keyholes are out and about the tank this morning so I presume there are no more eggs .......never mind....don't think I'm quite ready for the patter of little fins around the tank yet :roll: ......at least I now know that one of them is a female! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 What a shame Suemack ! They are such pretty fish. Hope they do it all over again soon, good luck ! Robbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted November 2, 2003 Report Share Posted November 2, 2003 I wouldn't give up hope "just yet" Sue, as they could have shifted them to a new location, which almost all Cichlids do. You may wake up one morning and see a nice suprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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