Artificially raising Keyhole cichlids REPORT.

[Billsgate]

01/06/2005

Nothing special to report, still happily wiggling away! I think the hard part is going to be feeding them once they use up their egg sack.

I did however count them decently today. And recounted. And recounted. Did I say I recounted? Appears I underestimated the number of fry! I have around 100-120 wigglers.
I'll have to find more lfs' to drop 'em of. And I'm going to need more room for them to grow out if allot of them make it! Time for ANOTHER tank???? :|

 

[RoK]

Sounds great, keep it up!

 

[Billsgate]

02/06/2005

Nothing special to report! Fry have nearly used up their egg sack (what's the correct english name for the thing?), and are starting to hop around on the bottom of the tank.

Here's some more pics, sharper then before:

 

[MOOGLY]

wow I had no idea they started out like that the first blurry pic looks like little keyholes.

this will be a neat thread thank you

 

[Jchillin]

Doing great Thomas...this is wonderful. Despite the excessive charges for shipping overnight to US, I still want them!

Why do Europeans place the date first, then the month? I thought I was reading an old thread from January...LOL.

Keep up the good work. BTW, you're gonna suffer from excessive keyhole counting eye strain...don't worry about it.

 

[Fluff]

Great pics Thomas. They are starting to look like little fish.

 

[MOOGLY]

How big are the parents do you have pics of them ? ours are getting big very fast I am wondering how large they can actually get some sites say 4 inches some say up to 6.

 

[Billsgate]

How big are the parents do you have pics of them ?

The parents are around 3,5-4 inches.
Here are some pics: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?p=375160#375160

Why do Europeans place the date first, then the month? I thought I was reading an old thread from January...LOL.

Beats me! I think you Americans got it backwards or something

Keep up the good work. BTW, you're gonna suffer from excessive keyhole counting eye strain...don't worry about it.

Naaah, I don't count 'em that much

06/03/2005 (U.S. date) 03/06/2005 (European date)

The fry are beginning to hop around, and are making their first attempts at swimming. Some of them can remain swimming for more then a minute now. I will try to feed them for the first time later today. Freeze dried bbs and powdered spirulina.
I will be going to my dad's this weekend.......so there is no chance of me feeding them every 4 hours, like you're supposed to do. I will drop by on saturday, and am back sunday noon. I hope this doesn't affect them too much. :?
I'll keep you updated

 

[Billsgate]

06/05/2005

Fry are all free swimming. They stay together in one, sometimes 2 schools. Feeding freeze dried bbs and spirulina powder. So far I've removed 5 dead fry out of 80-100.

Tested for water parameters, all is well, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 nitrates.

I'll try to get some better shots later today.

 

[Billsgate]

As promised, here are some more pics, with better cam.

Here they are, craving for bbs!

And here's mom and dad, already preparing themselves for their next spawn

 

[kansaschick08]

very very nice fishies!!!!!!!!!! i likey them.

 

[Heiko]

You are truely a master aquariast. I salute you. Hopefully one day i can be as good!

Keep it goin the little guys look like there loving it. There so cute!

Gd luck (not that you need it).

 

[Billsgate]

You are truely a master aquariast. I salute you. Hopefully one day i can be as good!

I'm not a master! I've only started little over a year ago!

And I can always use some luck!

 

[BrianNY]

Just goes to show what a little determination and alot of patience can accomplish. Thomas had some unsuccessful attempts at having the parents raise the fry. He decided that he might have a better chance at artificially raising them himself. He asked alot of questions and was rewarded for his efforts. Kudos to you Thomas.

Keep up with water changes. The fry will grow quickly and that's quite a brood to raise in a 10g. Since you have a good relationship with your lfs, they might have a used 55g that they can lend you to help get these fish to saleable size.

 

[Billsgate]

06/08/2005

Time for another update!
The fry that are left (around 60-ish) are doing good. I lost quite a few, but noticed that they were ones that weren't eating (they didn't have orange bellies from the bbs, the ones that are alive do!).
I'm doing 20% water changes every two days for now, and removing dead fishies each day (If there are any).

I'm not sure I will be setting up a 55g growout tank Brian
I wouldn't mind, and I have the money to buy one now, but my mom won't let me.
I'll distribute the fry over my other tanks as soon as they are big enough not to become food. I called my lfs and they told me I should maybe get me a plastic tub or container and set that up as growout tank. I will see by the time they start getting bigger.

I must admit that I tried something mean! I introduced 7 fry to the main tank, with their parents, to see if the parents would take any interest in them. They did! As snacks!
I should've known that would happen...I only got hold of 1 fry and put it back into the 10 g with it's brothers and sisters. Rest was eaten :|
Yes I know, the parents probably need to raise them themselves if there is to be any parental behaviour. I couldn't help trying though.

Sorry, no pics this time, they look the same as on previous page, only slightly bigger and fins bit more developed. Will post pics on sunday, at the 2 week mark.

 

[Billsgate]

06/13/2005

Fry are now about 5-7 mm in size. I've lost maybe 5 more during the last few days. Around 50-60 left.

Pics taken on their 2 weeks old:

 

[Fluff]

They are soooo cute. And they look awesome Thomas! Good job! Keep the updates coming.

 

[Jchillin]

You're doing great Thomas! Keep up the good work.

 

[Billsgate]

Thanks both of you!!!

Here's a pic of mom laying new eggs half an hour ago
As you can see, dad in top left corner of photo is not too thrilled that I'm coming this close

 

[Fluff]

lol They are some very busy fish.
Whooaa! You better watch yourself with that guy. I'm sure he's blessing you. lol