Surprise, you have new fish

[graves]

Just got back from my honeymoon this weekend to find that my two Jags(3-4" each) have reproduced. Didn't think they were of the opposite sex. Guess they cleared out the rock from inside a tree and laid the eggs in there where no one could see. My brother noticed that the Jags were guarding the side of the tank, then noticed the fry on Saturday.

This is my first breeding of fish so I am clueless as what to do. I currently have a divider in keeping the parents and young separate from the other tank mates (3 fire mouths). I read I should remove the parents asap which I plan on doing tonight after work. The fish are in a 55 gallon. Should I move the filter so it isn't near them? Any other special procedures I should follow?

I need to figure out what to do with them afterwards though. I counted maybe 25-30 in there.

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

Depends on what you want to do with the fry. If you want to save the majority of them to grow and sell or rehome set up another tank with a sponge filter that is well colonized with beneficial bacteria. Otherwise you can leave them in the tank with the parents and they may eventually eat them leaving a few alive.
You may want to split up the pair if you intend on keeping the firemouths.