Carlein Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I don't beleave it, the day after my 1st post my keyholes laid more eggs, so I watched and waited for them to start eating them as usual, but they didn't now I have babies, they hatched yesterday and mum and dad are doing a great job keeping everyone away from them. My question is, how long before they are free swimming? and once they are will the parents be able to stop all my neons and other fish from eating them. Should I seperate the tank with a devider so they can do their thing in peace, or just leave them to it? CHEERS :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: I CAN'T BELEAVE IT, YAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 My advice would be leave them to it at this stage. Cichlids are usually pretty good at rearing babies as long as their is no threat ( neons are not a threat ) It will only be a few days for them to be free swimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlein Posted February 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Thanks Jim, I thought the 15 neons might eat them because they love blood worms, :oops: I also have two peppered cory a sword tail and a big sucker fish in with them. They sure are protective though, so lets hope they will be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Once they are free swimming you can siphon them out and rear them in another tank where you can feed them more intensely and get them to grow a lot faster (and remove the risk of them being eaten) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlein Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 All's well so far, they've been free swimming for a couple of days now and the parents are really protective of them. If they get too far away mum and dad suck them into their mouths and spit them out where they're safe. I've been feeding the whole tank then putting in some fry food, don't know how much their eating but so far so good. I can see what you meant about the neons not being a threat they just scoot away as soon as the parents go near them. As for the swordtail, i've seen him eat a few that the parents didn't see get away, but that's to be expected, there are hundreds and it would be pretty hard to keep track of all of them. We don't have another tank to put them in so it's gonna be survival of the fittest. Really neat to watch, We can't keep our eyes off them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeous Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 cool.... good luck :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlein Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I've put some pictures on the members tanks section if anyone wants to have a look. It's titled my community tank & new babies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlein Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hi everyone, just thought i'd keep you guys posted, it's sad news im affraid They all got eaten Each morning we got up and there were a few more gone, I think the culprit was our male swordtail, he seemed to stalk up on them. BUMMER, looks like we might have to get another tank if we want to raise some. Oh well thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naz_Nomad Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Yeah, swordtails will eat anyone's babies, including their own and they are pretty fast. I am very jealous though. I love my keyholes but I have six males, I'd love a couple of females to put in there with them. One day when I get a six foot tank and can have a dozen or so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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