DId I drop the ball with my Tapajos?

[we4wieners]

I have a pair of Geo Red Head Tapajos. This is their second spawn. First one was as expected, she chowed down. This time, they were like pros. He's still holding and shes standing watch. They were in a community tank with columbian tetras juvie tapajos, clown loaches, Rams, gudgeons, and various cories. I caught him today along with his bride and moved them to a 20 Long. They are a bit whacked out from the move. I believe he's still holding as he wont eat and he will not open his mouth. Should I not have packed them up? Ive heard everything from, " It could break the pairs bond" to "Tne parents will eat them instantly". BTW, this is my first spawning pair...EVER. Just curious...

 

[Toby_H]

What do you plan to do with the offspring when they grow out? If you don't have a plan to rehome groups of them consistently, it may be in your best interest to simply let the cories and loaches eat them. I'd expect a few to survive each time. and I'd let them grow up and join the colony. In all fairness, this is what happens in the wild.

Then when your colony gets too big for your tank you could break it in half and sell/trade/gift half of them to a friend or someone from your local fish club.



That out of the way... In my experience, moving parents and fry rarely goes well, even more so with mouth brooders. But nothing is a guarantee.


Congrats on your first spawn.

 

[we4wieners]

I just moved parents back to display tank. He spit them out this morning. Keeping fry in 20 long by themselves. The nextnspawn Ill let happen in the display tank. How do i raise and feed these fry?

 

[Jexnell]

At this point get some First Bites made by Hikari. Turn off your filtration and sprinkle it above the fry cloud. It will sink down to them.
Next would be to get a baby brine shrimp factory going.
Thirdly let the algea grow out in the tank you want to raise the fry in. The parents will herd the fry around the tank to graze on it and the micro organisms.

 

[we4wieners]

Excellent, thank you.

 

[we4wieners]

At this point get some First Bites made by Hikari. Turn off your filtration and sprinkle it above the fry cloud. It will sink down to them.
Next would be to get a baby brine shrimp factory going.
Thirdly let the algea grow out in the tank you want to raise the fry in. The parents will herd the fry around the tank to graze on it and the micro organisms.
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The problem is they keep swimming in the air bubbles. Should ib shut the air off while feeding?

 

[Jexnell]

When feeding yes. You want no water movement so the food will settle down to them. And/or you could get a turkey baster and some tank water. In a dish combine the tank water and food. Use the turkey baster to suck up the food water and squirt it right into the fry cloud.

 

[Toby_H]

Great suggestions Jexnell.

I can only echo what's already been said.

I strongly suggest the turkey baster for feeding. Baby Brine Shrimp is the go to 'best' thing to offer fry. First Bites is also great. Otherwise crushed flakes can also work well.

Adjusting filtration is often needed to keep food near the fry. Also add a prefilter to your filter's intakes if you haven't already.