CA/SA Cichlid Fry Growing Tecniques????

[JK47]

Here you go fishman. The test tube is for size reference. I used to use the one with the RO line hooked up so spot feed but the larger syringe builds up enough pressure to get where ever I want in the tank because of the handle and not the bubble pump on those turkey basters. It's also larger so holds more water which I prefer.

 

[Calihawk]

what kind of water changes do you perform on the small containers?

The small containers are netted breeders (Petsmart $5), this way I can have them all at the top of a 20 or 30 long. You can also have different frys growing at different stages of life this way. Like said, even 1 week old frys will kill wigglers. Then you can use your siphon to clean the tank that all the containers are in without sucking up frys. Also I use the turkey baster to clean the net containers a bit too.


TIP: Only because you asked, use the Baster to squeeze some air under the net containers...this way the BBS and First Bites dont fall through the net. Instead hold the food for your babies to completely devour.

 

[Calihawk]

Great Idea pics,

Here are some wigglers still with a bit of sac (notice the air bubble I made as a cushion, and to hold the food in the net.)

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Close up, this way you can just put the frozen BBS right in the net and it will melt right on top of the bubble at the bottom of the net.

 

[Fishnthehood]

You guys are droping knowledge in this thread. Just started breeding myself and this will help tremendously.

 

[fishman09]

thanks a lot jk and calihawk. will use a combination of both.

 

[JK47]

Great Idea pics,

Here are some wigglers still with a bit of sac (notice the air bubble I made as a cushion, and to hold the food in the net.)
.
Close up, this way you can just put the frozen BBS right in the net and it will melt right on top of the bubble at the bottom of the net.

I have to admit that bubble idea is a great one calihawk!!! I will use that next time for sure thanks for posting. I have used those net boxes in the past and liked them but quit using them since most CA's tend to attack the box itself. I had not though about using them for seperate fry in the same tank (dovii fry are the worst). We need to built big ones for multiple species of fry in growouts... DIY fry dividers here I come, more tank space!!!

thanks a lot jk and calihawk. will use a combination of both.

this was a great topic to bring up, thanks for posting. I just got myself a new "bubble technique" lol.. We all learn something new.

 

[JK47]

One more tip for you fishman. The Hydro sponge filters fit perfectly over the intake of a Marineland HOT magnum filter. I cut s strip of foam off of the bottom of the sponge to plug the hole in the bottom of it and you have an instant cycled fry tank on canister power (I leave a spong on a powerhead in every tank to transfer over). My fry tanks are in the garage and it's cold out there so I don't like using air to power them because of the temp loss/heater power consumption.

Lets keep the tips coming guys. What do you do others may lern from?

 

[Pomatomus]

The only New World cichlid I've bred was salvinis. I had a pair in a 55g and I let the fry grow in with them for several months. I did give away a lot of fry in the beginning though, so I only ended up raising about 100 babies to the age I could sell them to my LFS's. I gave about 100 away as well. The parents completely ignored them until one night (technically 5am on Easter Sunday) the male was crashing into stuff chasing them down. That's when I removed the last babies.

I REALLY like to keep the fry in a large, established tank for a week or two because that's when they forage for detritus. Stirring the gravel usually provides a great source of food, not to mention cleaning the tank.

After the first few days I start feeding frozen/live baby brine and powdered pellets or flakes until they are large enough to eat flakes and frozen adult brine.

I've also used these techniques with kribensis and jewel cichlids. I feed my baby rainbowfish the same way, but they especially require detritus to eat when they are young since the fry are notoriously difficult to feed.

 

[CichlidMan416]

Keep the water warmer than 72F, eliminate all predators form tank. And have departed them form they're parents and they do fine, as long as they are in a warm tank with NO other fish than them. If possible keep some orniments or decor. in there for them to hide in. for the fist 2-3 days dont worry about feeding them. But afterward, feed them regular feed ( I found that Tetra brand Cichlid sticks work very well, given the avalibility, and cost), make sure to grind or crush it up into a fine powder, or make it small enough to fit in their mouth. Also as they get older and try to keep to the 1inch of fish per gal. of water, as best as possible. Also be sure to keep water condition well and parasite free. Remember a few may at first, but that doesn't mean the litter is doomed as well, sometimes in the early stages it's survival of the fittest... Any other questions or concerns let me know and I'll see if I can help...

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Great ideas guys but I personally prefer keeping fry with the parents for 4-6 weeks before removing. There are pros and cons to both ideas. My strategy depends on the individual pair. With some pairs you just have to remove fry immediately. Fortunately I haven't had that problem yet. Here are some of the pros for my strategy; first it helps strengthen the pairs bond, all the fry I've kept with the parents grow faster and healthier than the ones I've removed. Now each species will require different length of time that I will leave fry with parents. Dovii for example will be removed by the 4th week because they grow so fast and are really hard to catch after the 4th week. Most of the rest of my pairs I leave them with fry for up to 6 weeks. Around 4-6 weeks the pairs are getting ready to spawn again and usually do by the 6th week and definitely make sure to keep an eye on their behavior around the 4th week to ensure the fry can be pulled prior to next spawn.

Another thing with larger species like Dovii and Umbee grow faster than most with huge spawns and around 4-6 weeks the fry start to eat the slime coat off the parents, which is another indication that fry need to be moved. Everyone will do things differently and what works for them. Good luck with yours and keep us posted with your results