nicaraguensis finally spawned

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rrcoolj

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 5, 2008
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This morning I found my female nic guarding a cave on the far left of the tank. I didn't know for sure if they had spawn since nics dig long tunnels and thier eggs roll around. But this afternoon I looked and saw many round orange eggs in one of the gaps in the egg crate at the bottom of the tank. The female is guarding the cave while the male is kind of coming in and out of guard duty. The camera scared him off but he was with the female defending the eggs. I was wondering while my nics were not spawning, turns out all the needed was a deep cave structure. Should have payed attention to Montess when he told me that his started to spawn when a cave was present. I am soo happy they have finally spawned! It seems to have brought the pair together. Any tips appreciated. This is the only fish I have spawned since my angelfish pair oh so long ago.

Anyway pics!

PS: IF you look closely you can see the orange eggs between the egg crate.

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Thanks, mom is doing most if not all of the work but dad does step up every once in a while. Maybe he will be more active when the fry are free swimming.
 
Thats awesome. What size are they?
 
eatingleg4peanut;4689510; said:
Thats awesome. What size are they?

Female is around 4" and male is around 5"
cyberhog05;4689582; said:
Good work! I cant wait for a pair from my group. Looks like you have the same dreaded sand I added and am taking out. Do you like it?

I have always liked sand, its easy to clean and anything that digs loves it. But I can see how it can be an annoyance in a nic tank. These guys dig and kick up sand so much it can become a problem if you do not prepare for it.
 
Mom is now guarding wrigglers! She has moved them from under the rocks. There seem to be only a couple dozen wrigglers but they are doing well.

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Congrats and nice pair. Nics are the only CA cichlid that don't have adheasive eggs, so it is neet to see them just sitting on the sand and not attached to rocks.
 
^ thanks you. What is interesting is I ave seen her actually take the eggs into her mouth making chewing motions then spitting them back in the same spot. I have read that some people believe these fish are the link between pit spawners and mouth brooders.
 
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