H. Multispinosa

[ryansmith83]

As young fish it could take them several tries. This happens a lot with inexperienced cichlid pairs -- discus, angels, and severums to name a few. A lot of people claim that most angels won't parent-raise, but I find that to be untrue. It may take a dozen spawns, but eventually most will get it right one day.

When those multispinosa started pairing off and spawning here at my house, I think there was just too much activity in the tank for the pairs to successfully defend a spawning site. You've probably seen by now how active and pushy they are with each other. A calm, relaxing environment where they can focus on spawning may be best. I'm of the mindset that you could just let them keep trying until they get it right -- they're young and they have plenty of time.

 

[Gruff Master]

They are far less stressed than they were during spawning when they shared a tank with other cichlids. As the only cichlids and the dominant fish in their 75, they are pretty much stress-free now. And I have also found them to be quite pushy at times. The normally submissive female becomes completely different after the eggs are laid. She keeps the male far away but not to the point of a fight. He knows to stay away. That's why I think she is the main egg eater. Their longest surviving spawn was in the community tank. And that was because the fry slipped between rock crevices. They do a good job at preparing for a spawn. I hope they will just take the next step. But like you said, they are still young with plenty of time to get things right. I just hate seeing eggs one day and then the next finding they've been eaten again.