Zebra Obliquidens

[MrsE88]

I saw these two doing some dancing around last week and spending more time away from other tank mates.
Then this morning my males mouth looked like he was lip locking with someone. A few tank mates also have some nipped fins.
My female looks like she is trying to eat something but can’t chew and get it down. Lol
Since this is my first African tank(hubbys fish) this is all new to me.

Here’s the couple. Taken last week. You can see how fat she is. Haha


And here is mama



Now I’m just trying to decide what I should do.
Keep her in the tank with everyone and what happens happens. Or move her to her own tank. Either a 10 or 20g since those are my only empty ones at the moment.

 

[Mdoka]

I saw these two doing some dancing around last week and spending more time away from other tank mates.
Then this morning my males mouth looked like he was lip locking with someone. A few tank mates also have some nipped fins.
My female looks like she is trying to eat something but can’t chew and get it down. Lol
Since this is my first African tank(hubbys fish) this is all new to me.

Here’s the couple. Taken last week. You can see how fat she is. Haha
View attachment 1355092

And here is mama
View attachment 1355093


Now I’m just trying to decide what I should do.
Keep her in the tank with everyone and what happens happens. Or move her to her own tank. Either a 10 or 20g since those are my only empty ones at the moment.

She is definitely holding eggs/fry in her mouth. If you leave her in the tank to spit, most of the fry will likely be eaten depending on cover and tankmates. I love these fish. I’m jealous, I only have a male and no room for more.

 

[MrsE88]

She is definitely holding eggs/fry in her mouth. If you leave her in the tank to spit, most of the fry will likely be eaten depending on cover and tankmates. I love these fish. I’m jealous, I only have a male and no room for more.

They are really pretty. One of my favorites in the tank.
If I did move her, any idea when the best time would be?
I try to watch them closely, so I know she has only been holding since sometime between 10pm last night and 7am this morning. Just eggs right now. I could see when she opened her mouth just slightly.

 

[Mdoka]

They are really pretty. One of my favorites in the tank.
If I did move her, any idea when the best time would be?
I try to watch them closely, so I know she has only been holding since sometime between 10pm last night and 7am this morning. Just eggs right now. I could see when she opened her mouth just slightly.

I’m sure you’re going to get answers across the board on when to pull her. Providing you have another cycled tank for her, I pull mine at 18 - 20 days. Some spit early and some spit late. My last mouth brooder spit at 26 days. I’m sure others will give their opinion also.

 

[MrsE88]

I’m sure you’re going to get answers across the board on when to pull her. Providing you have another cycled tank for her, I pull mine at 18 - 20 days. Some spit early and some spit late. My last mouth brooder spit at 26 days. I’m sure others will give their opinion also.

Thank you. That at least gives me an idea on how long they hold them for. I haven’t read up on their breeding habits yet, so I don’t know what to expect.

 

[Mdoka]

Thank you. That at least gives me an idea on how long they hold them for. I haven’t read up on their breeding habits yet, so I don’t know what to expect.

No problem, just my opinion. When you start researching, you’ll probably see anywhere from 20 to 30+ days. Baby fry are so exciting. You’ll be as giddy as a kid in a candy store when it happens. Especially if you get to see it happening.

 

[MrsE88]

No problem, just my opinion. When you start researching, you’ll probably see anywhere from 20 to 30+ days. Baby fry are so exciting. You’ll be as giddy as a kid in a candy store when it happens. Especially if you get to see it happening.

They are for sure
I hope I get to see her spit them out! I’ll record it if I’m lucky enough to be there when it happens. Mouth brooders are fascinating

 

[tlindsey]

Congrats!

 

[Mdoka]

MrsE88 How is that mouthful of babies coming along?

 

[MrsE88]

MrsE88 How is that mouthful of babies coming along?

I think I made a mistake.
I removed some pothos I had in the front of the tank.(I needed it for my fry tank I set up) Once that cover was gone everyone went nuts. My normally calm tank broke out in fights between almost everyone.
So she either spit them out or ate them. I’m not sure. But I lost that batch

One a positive note, things have calmed down and she’s fattening up again. So I’m hopeful that they will lay again for me