Jaguar agression after eggs removed

[winston.smith]

As I posted yesterday my jags laid a 2nd batch of eggs about 30 days after their first. It was right at that point that the male began to eat any fry he could catch, (the female too I think)
so I decided to set up an old 10 gallon tank and try to save what I could.

Then I think I made a mistake tho,' because I collected (siphoned out) the current batch of eggs and moved moved them over as well,
and now they are being very aggressive towards one another.. Especially the male picking on the female.

So now I have them divided by using a screen top,, which is horrible but she was getting bitten.

A big part of the problem is that the tank is too small; 55L. they will be going into a larger tank in a couple of mos.

I will probably just have to take it step-by-step, and see what happens. I'm just wondering if anyone has dealt with any similar situations.

thanks, w.

 

[MarineMike]

I'm new to jag keeping but my understanding about breeding them is remove any previous fry as soon as you notice the parents getting ready to spawn again or after they've started laying eggs because as you found out the parents will now see the older fry as a threat to the new eggs/fry. Also when removing eggs and or fry you need to leave some for the parents to hatch and raise. The male will be extremely protective of his latest brood and if all are removed goes into a rage attacking the female and any other fish in the tank. Keep that divider in for a week or two till he calms down again and even after that keep a close watch because he'll probably stay to pester the female wanting to breed againand she will need more time to develop eggs again. He could kill her from impatience. This is common with most CA/SA cichlids; jags, dovii, umbee, rtm, etc.

As you've already mentioned that tank is not big enough for the pair. Hopefully you can change that soon.

 

[MarineMike]

Almost forgot, don't be apprised when the new eggs hatch and the older fry start to eat their younger siblings. The plus side is the older ones will grow faster on this cannibal diet but you probably won't have any of the new batch survive unless you separate them to another tank or put in a divider.
Also, make sure to keep the tank with the parents covered because it's not uncommon for the male jag to jump out of the tank in what I'm guessing is an attempt to rescue his missing eggs/fry.

 

[Maduro]

Winston, as stated, you need to leave some fry in the tank for the pair to follow a normal parenting pattern. He's attacking her because he wants to breed again and she's not ready. If you just leave the fry in the tank they will eat them when she's ready to breed again. If you want to remove some to grow out that's fine but always leave a batch in there or you'll need to remove one of the pair.

You should get at least a 90 Gallon for the pair...150 would be better

 

[winston.smith]

thanks for your comments.

Im learning as I go here. In fact I had a traumatic moment earlier, the female jumped out of the tank! and down the backside of the tall wooden stand the tank's on,,
-thats against the floor molding. Oh man.. I immediately grabbed a broom stick and pulled her out,, hardly being able to see her. She doesnt seem to have a mark on her and seems fine now. Very lucky.

I felt like such a tool,,,big mistake boy! -to have the glass top off and try to steer her with a net. Ive just never had a fish respond that way.. (and I never have the top off! --was off bc Im using a screen top from a 10 gal tank, to split the tank. I have a proper divider probably arriving tomorrow. ) She was obviously extra freaked out bc of the male. Wont be doing that again. Will have to keep them divided until she's ready. I wonder if it's quicker now that she has no eggs and fry to care for.

Im having the stand built for the 150 but no luck ordering the tank yet.
Im trying to see if I can get a 150L with starfire glass in NYC but buying direct. So far no luck.

I put all those fry/fish eggs in a 10 gallon tank ! with about 5 or 6 from the last spawning. Talk about no space, soon to be.