Convicts spawned need help!

[ericifish]

ok so my convict cichlids spawned in this cave i have in the corner of my community tank. a few questions. what do i do!?!?! the babies look like tiny tadpoles kind of scooting around the bottom, and i want them to get food, so how should i get them out of there? i know if i pick up this cave there all gonna fall out, but the other fish are leaving them alone so i dont think i have to. how do i get the food to them? i have some flakes ground up, should i make a wad and try and bring it down to them?

 

[ericifish]

shes eating them! what a horrible mother.

 

[ericifish]

another question, im seting up the ten gallon for them. gravel or no gravel for the babies

 

[Lizardking]

another question, im geting up the ten gallon for them. gravel or no gravel for the babies[/quote

if this is a uncycled tank, don´t put them there. Otherwise, IMO gravel cause it looks better.

 

[excuzzzeme]

Cons don't eat their babies. They suck them up when feeling threatened and will move them. Don't worry about feeding them. The parents will make sure they eat.

 

[ericifish]

ok. should i try and move them or leave them where they are?

 

[excuzzzeme]

Just leave them unless you have other fish that might snack on them.. The parents take excellent care of them so if you move the fry you will also have to move the parents as well.(at least one of them)

The parents pre-crush the food and the babies go into the mouth to eat until large enough to forage on their own.

 

[ericifish]

ok. ive read that you can feed them ground up flakes. when should i start worrying about that?

 

[excuzzzeme]

Personally, I never have. I let my con fry fend for themselves. You could always sprinkle a bit of Hikari First Bites if it would make you feel more confidant.

Normal survival rate is about 50%-75%. They (parents and fry) will kill and eat the weakest ones.

 

[ericifish]

i'm almost positive shes eating them. i see her "pick them up" and she doesnt drop them...