Blue Rams - spawning in Indian Fern ????

[kevin_wgtn]

I have now had a pair of Blue Rams spawn 3 times in the roots of a large floating Indian Fern, rather than using the rock caves I created :evil: .

Has anybody else experienced their rams spawing in floating plant ???

[Faran]

Hi Kevin,

Blue Rams don't necessarily spawn in caves. I got a pair a month ago and following this article I put a river stone in a secluded spot and they spawned on Saturday night and layed eggs all over the flat stone, as advised. Either they moved them and I haven't spotted the wrigglers yet or something bad happened as the rock is almost egg-free this morning. I'm thinking that perhaps one of the large bristlenoses came along and "cleaned" the rock :evil: What's your experience with the after spawning and fry care?

[kevin_wgtn]

Rams spawned in the floating Indian Fern roots. Temp 75'f Ph 6.2. No air on the tank or babies containers.

In all cases (1st pair x 3, 2nd pair x 1) I have not seen the eggs, simply the babies hatching and falling out of the nest before being retrieved by the parents. In each case I have caught the fry out and raised/raising them in clear floating containers in the main tank. Feed Micro worm and brine shrimp for 2 days, thereafter brine shrimp only. Regular water changes with main tank. Babies growing well. Of the main pair - 1st spawning now approx 10 - 15 mm in length (including tail), 2nd spawning approx 7 - 8 mm in length, 3rd spawning hatched yesterday.

Apart from catching the fry, and feeding them I haven't done anything special - the parents did all the hard work in hatching the fry.