Texas Cichlid eggs hatched and now I need help on what to do with 1000 babies..

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K

Kramit

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 18, 2009
9
0
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waynesboro
I'm not new to the fish scene, but I am new to new to breeding. I recently bought 3 Texas cichlids about a month ago. Today I realized there are about 500-1000 babies with a very protective mother. I understand maybe getting 3 wasn't the wisest thing to do, but that's besides the point and I'd like some advice. I have 125 Gallon tank with 3 texas cichlids, 1 BGK, 2 plecos, 2 frontosas, and 2 upside down catfish. The largest of them all are the BGK and Pleco's. All about 9-11". All others are about 2-4". I've had the tank running for about 3 years and it's probably the most stable (and peaceful) it's ever been. I do water changes every 2 weeks and the PH is about 8. Temp around 85. Water change is coming up here in 4-5 days. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

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Plecos and catfish eat eggs, i would remove them.
 
And maybe a lower ph?
 
The eggs hatched, and the fish are 1 day old now. Should I get a breeding tank set up somehow? Or just divide the tank with the divider I already have?
 
Take the babies out when they start free swimming. Keep the tank well fed until then, and monitor. The fry will do fine in a small well maintained tank, and of course feed them golden pearls, crushed brine shrimp, and boiled egg yolks.
 
Ok, so should I just put them into a small 20 gallon? Or get one of those breeding tanks that hang on the side of the big tank? How much of a pain is it to catch them when the free swim? Haha.
 
you can syphon with a smaller gravel vac.,net won't easy.don't use the basket that hangs.20 gal.will work.use main tank water,you will need an aged filter,i would add some gravel to the small tank,from the big tank for BB
 
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