My Firemouth Cichlids Have Spawned

[MandyH]

Hi everyone, I’m new here and trying to get us much advice and knowledge as possible on my firemouth cichlids who have just spawned. Considering the success rate of this batch of fry I don’t think this is their first attempt. There were very few unfertilized eggs, there are a lot of fry, and the parents are both very attentive with caring for the fry and protecting their cave. I was not trying to get a breeding pair, but it would be a lie if I said I’m not enjoying this experience. It’s very cool!

So… the eggs were laid late last week and I noticed that they were starting to hatch this past Saturday. As of yesterday it appears that they’re all free swimming although they have not been “allowed” out of their cave yet. Mom keeps picking up the ones that she sees get out and she spits them back out in the cave.

I do have several questions, so please bare with me.

1. Unfortunately, I don’t have room to set up a nursery tank although I’m trying to figure something out for the future now that I know I have a breeding pair. I would like to see a few of the babies survive. This pair is being housed in a 75 gallon aquarium along with (2) dojo loaches, (3) yoyo loaches, (14) buenos aires tetras, and (1) sailfin pleco (who is 10” at about 7-8 years old). I know that the pleco is a threat to the eggs, but do any of these fish pose a real threat to the fry considering that the parents are going to be protective of them?
2. Roughly how long will it be for the fry be “allowed” to come out of the cave?
3. How should I go about feeding the fry in a community tank? The majority of what I’ve read suggests using flake food in powder form or getting the liquid food. Will that cause water quality problems? I don’t want that considering this is a community tank with other fish in it.
4. How often do firemouth cichlids spawn in your experience? I’ve contacted several stores and so far I’ve found 3 that’ll take the babies from me when they’re larger. I’m just wondering how often I can expect to go through this.

 

[jeremoose]

Hi everyone, I’m new here and trying to get us much advice and knowledge as possible on my firemouth cichlids who have just spawned. Considering the success rate of this batch of fry I don’t think this is their first attempt. There were very few unfertilized eggs, there are a lot of fry, and the parents are both very attentive with caring for the fry and protecting their cave. I was not trying to get a breeding pair, but it would be a lie if I said I’m not enjoying this experience. It’s very cool!

So… the eggs were laid late last week and I noticed that they were starting to hatch this past Saturday. As of yesterday it appears that they’re all free swimming although they have not been “allowed” out of their cave yet. Mom keeps picking up the ones that she sees get out and she spits them back out in the cave.

I do have several questions, so please bare with me.

1. Unfortunately, I don’t have room to set up a nursery tank although I’m trying to figure something out for the future now that I know I have a breeding pair. I would like to see a few of the babies survive. This pair is being housed in a 75 gallon aquarium along with (2) dojo loaches, (3) yoyo loaches, (14) buenos aires tetras, and (1) sailfin pleco (who is 10” at about 7-8 years old). I know that the pleco is a threat to the eggs, but do any of these fish pose a real threat to the fry considering that the parents are going to be protective of them?
2. Roughly how long will it be for the fry be “allowed” to come out of the cave?
3. How should I go about feeding the fry in a community tank? The majority of what I’ve read suggests using flake food in powder form or getting the liquid food. Will that cause water quality problems? I don’t want that considering this is a community tank with other fish in it.
4. How often do firemouth cichlids spawn in your experience? I’ve contacted several stores and so far I’ve found 3 that’ll take the babies from me when they’re larger. I’m just wondering how often I can expect to go through this.

1. The only thing in your tank likely to scoop up your fry once they're free swimming is the Tetras. That being said, it won't be long before the fry are too large for a Tetras mouth.

2. Typically the parents will start taking the fry on their first "sightseeing" trip around the tank within the first week, if not for SURE by 10 days.

3. What most people do is crush up the food intended for the fry and add water to the powdered food. Then use a turkey baster to gently blast the mixture into the cloud of fry.

Although, plenty of cichlids will look after their babies on their own ("chewing" large chunks food and spitting it into the group).

Also, if it's a well established tank with some algae colonized or better yet, a sponge filter, the fry will feed on that.

4. It's really up to the pair, I've heard of them breeding like convicts (every couple weeks) or breeding once a month. You will just have to wait and find out!

Best of luck and POST SOME PICS!

 

[MandyH]

Thanks for the help!

So far things appear to be going good. The babies were still out and about last night when the tank light shut off. I keep my tv on at night so there’s still some light on in the room. When I woke up this morning I thought the fry was all gone, but I found them huddled together in their cave. Mom and dad must’ve rounded them up last night. Watching this parental behavior is really interesting to me. They seem to be doing a great job as parents.

My only concern is that I noticed my pleco has a torn dorsal fin. I can’t be 100% sure that the firemouths are to blame, but I don’t see any of the other fish doing it. I guess I’ll just closely monitor it and will put up a divider if need be. I wish I had a nursery tank, but that’s out right now.

As for pics, here are a handful along with a short video clip. At around the 24 second mark you can see the mom spitting some babies out to get them back where they belong. Today I’m giving them a break, no pictures!

[YT]Vg2L0-8cZOQ[/YT]

 

[floydlevi]

What a beautiful pair. Congrats

Sent from my LG-MS690 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[piranhaman00]

What a beautiful pair. Congrats

Sent from my LG-MS690 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

took the words right out of my mouth. Beautiful pair.

 

[MandyH]

Thanks guys! I think they're pretty nice looking myself!

So yesterday I noticed that I have a BIG problem on my hands. I noticed tonight that my Buenos aires tetras have white spots on them. I'm thinking they have Ich. I’ve had them for 3 weeks now and this is the first time I’ve noticed Ich spots. I’m hoping I caught it early enough. The problem is that these fish are in my community tank with my firemouth chichlid fry. I've always preferred to go the heat route when treating for Ich, but I'm seeing that it's recommended now to use salt too? It’s literally been years since I’ve dealt with Ich and I've never used salt before. Will raising the temps to 86-87 be enough to kill the Ich without killing the fry? Also this is my first time having to treat Ich with a sand substrate. I cannot vac like you can with gravel. Is there anything different I should do?

 

[MandyH]

To add to my message above, I decided to go with the higher temps to see I it helps. The temp has been sitting steady at 87 since late last night. Nobody seems to be stressed and the fry seems to be handling things well too. I have not added salt, but I did put some Melafix and Pimafix in (half doses). I noticed my pleco has a spot on his tail that doesn't look right. It either looks like a fungus or maybe a burn because his new favorite spot is right near the heater. That part of his tail has been resting on the heater. I've moved the heater so he's not in contact with it anymore. I have lowered the water level and upped the aeration. I also did a 25% PWC Friday night as well as last night. I hope I'm going in the right direction! I'd hate to lose the fry, but I have to save my other fish too!

Here are a few pics from yesterday.

[YT] 1NHuILzuGfc[/YT]

 

[tlindsey]

Just bought three FM , I hope to have a great looking pair like yours one day.

 

[MandyH]

Thanks! I almost didn't get these guys. I was so close to getting out of this hobby, but now I'm SO glad that I took the chance on them! I did start out with 3 when they were smaller, but these two picked on the 3rd one. I tried saving it, but it didn't make it. Just watch your 3 closely because you may end up having to remove one to prevent it from being killed by the others. Good luck with yours.


~~


Well, I'm assuming melafix, pimafix, and high temps is ok (I know not ideal) for fry because the ones I have left appear to be doing very well. I can tell I've lost several since they first hatched, but I still have quite a few left. I'd guess at least 100 still.


This whole experience has fascinated me. Last night when I was watching them I got to see the funniest show down I've ever seen! My pleco was getting too close to the fry for the parents comfort so they were both flaring and charging at him, but they never made contact. They'd to get about 1/4" away, back up, and charge again stopped just short of touching him. I think the pleco's size (10") has them a little nervous of really attacking which in a way is a good thing. I love my pleco!


One question I have is on feeding the fry. I did buy some fry food and have been soaking it and then using an eye dropper type of syringe to feed them. I've been "dropping" the food about 2-3" right over the fry. I know that fry food is very small so I may be missing it, but I can't really tell if they're actually eating it. I'm assuming they're eating something or they would've died by now, but it's so hard to tell. Should I be feeding them differently? I've been shutting the filter off for about 15 minutes when feeding so the current's not so strong.

 

[Pole]

nice