Artificially raising Keyhole cichlids REPORT. - Aquarium Advice

Billsgate · 05-28-2005, 05:26 AM

28/05/2005

Moved the eggs to hatching tank. No agression from the parents when removing, it was done quickly. Eggs left the water for 5 seconds before immediatly entering breeding tank (I know, should acclimate them, but it'll be fine....I hope) There are around 200 eggs. Not all of them are allowed to make it, or else I'm in deep trouble.......I could get rid of 40 though. I'll also be 'removing' fish that stay behind in growth. This advice was given to me by my [acronym:2ada40745a="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:2ada40745a]. And I think they're right, that way only the healthiest specimens are introduced back into the [acronym:2ada40745a="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:2ada40745a]. And I don't have room for fishies that stay behind. Harsh, but necessairy.

Hatching should start around 6:00 p.m. on the 29th of may (my birthday!!!

)

Will keep you posted on progress!!

BrianNY · 05-28-2005, 08:40 AM

Great job Thomas! One more thing..... It's unlikely that all of the eggs will hatch. If you notice any that are obviously fungused, remove them with tweezers or eye dropper. This will help prevent fungus from spreading to other eggs.

Billsgate · 05-28-2005, 08:50 AM

I already see 2 eggs that are growing fungus. Will remove them [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="As soon as possible"]asap[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]. I've also read that the methylene (?) blue is used to stop blue light, which stimulates fungus growth. I'm covering the tank completely with towels and checking every now and then. Tank is covered to keep light from reaching the eggs too much so fungus doesn't grow as fast.
I forgot to pick up the methylene blue few days ago at the [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf], so I'll see how this method goes.

[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf], parents are still protecting the area where I removed the rock from. Silly beasts... hope they aren't mad at me for doing this

With good feedings and regular water changes they spawn every 2-3 weeks, so next time they can try to raise them themselves again. (If my artificial raising works out, otherwise I will remove the eggs to try again.)

Tank is filled with a mixture of 50% water from the tank they came from and 50% water from my other tank. (all have same water values)

Here are the readings for my breeding tank water:
[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 0
[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: <10ppm
[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 7,4
[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: >16°d
[acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 3° d

Jchillin · 05-28-2005, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Tank is filled with a mixture of 50% water from the tank they came from and 50% water from my other tank. (all have same water values)

That answers my question...I've got my fingers crossed for you!

Billsgate · 05-29-2005, 03:26 PM

Wahoo, I'm beginning to see wigglers!!!!

Eggs are hatching now. I think there are around 80 'good' eggs left, rest has gone white (though my estimation of 200 original eggs was a bit high, maybe 150).
I had a hard time removing the eggs that had fungus on them. I tried with tweezers, but I always caught at least one other Good egg as well. So I decided against removing them. And the ones I did get loose either busted when I got hold of them with my tweezers, or flew off the rock into the tank, thus creating waste, and I don't want that, because I'm not doing any water changes in the first week and a half-2 weeks.

So once all eggs have hatched I'll wave the wigglers of the rock and remove the rock with the 'bad' eggs on it. That way removing most of the waste without having to syphon off with the risk of removing wigglers.

Keeping my fingers crossed!!

I will try to take pics of the wigglers, BUT, my digi cam sucks, so things this tiny may be hard to catch.

Jchillin · 05-29-2005, 06:20 PM

Congrats...you became a keyhole "dad" on your birthday to boot!!!

Billsgate · 05-30-2005, 05:09 AM

Morning of 30/05/2005

Last night before I went to bed I removed all the babies from the rock. I did this by gently brushing by them with my finger. All of them got loose, but also allot of fungused eggs

They were spread throughout the whole bottom of the tank. In the morning when I woke up, nearly all the wigglers had somehow moved themselves together! So they're now nicely wiggling next to eachother.

There are around 50-60 wigglers.

Here are some pics, notice the high amount of bad eggs.

Not going to syphon them off though, because I will suck allot of babies up.

General view:

Detail of wigglers+ bad eggs:

BrianNY · 05-30-2005, 08:22 AM

Congrats Thomas. You've earned my respect as an outstanding aquarist.

Jchillin · 05-30-2005, 08:24 AM

Ditto - Not that you hadn't earned it already.

(Psst...update your sig...you're a father)

Billsgate · 05-30-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Congrats Thomas. You've earned my respect as an outstanding aquarist.

Thank you

Quote:

Ditto - Not that you hadn't earned it already.

Again, Thanks!

Quote:

(Psst...update your sig...you're a father)

Done!

05-28-2005, 05:26 AM	#1
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Artificially raising Keyhole cichlids REPORT. 28/05/2005 Moved the eggs to hatching tank. No agression from the parents when removing, it was done quickly. Eggs left the water for 5 seconds before immediatly entering breeding tank (I know, should acclimate them, but it'll be fine....I hope) There are around 200 eggs. Not all of them are allowed to make it, or else I'm in deep trouble.......I could get rid of 40 though. I'll also be 'removing' fish that stay behind in growth. This advice was given to me by my [acronym:2ada40745a="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:2ada40745a]. And I think they're right, that way only the healthiest specimens are introduced back into the [acronym:2ada40745a="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:2ada40745a]. And I don't have room for fishies that stay behind. Harsh, but necessairy. Hatching should start around 6:00 p.m. on the 29th of may (my birthday!!! ) Will keep you posted on progress!!

05-29-2005, 06:20 PM	#6
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Congrats...you became a keyhole "dad" on your birthday to boot!!! __________________ _________________________________

05-30-2005, 08:24 AM	#9
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Ditto - Not that you hadn't earned it already. (Psst...update your sig...you're a father) __________________ _________________________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Keyhole Cichlids	maxwell1295	New Acquisitions	6	02-22-2007 09:34 PM
keyhole cichlids	fishphenome	Cichlid Discussion	5	07-20-2006 08:59 PM
Keyhole cichlids	piranha	Cichlid Discussion	8	02-04-2006 08:34 PM
Keyhole Cichlids	Aquarium Freak	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	6	09-15-2005 05:32 PM
keyhole cichlids?	krap101	Cichlid Discussion	5	09-21-2004 10:50 AM

05-28-2005, 08:40 AM	#2
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Great job Thomas! One more thing..... It's unlikely that all of the eggs will hatch. If you notice any that are obviously fungused, remove them with tweezers or eye dropper. This will help prevent fungus from spreading to other eggs.

05-28-2005, 08:50 AM	#3
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	I already see 2 eggs that are growing fungus. Will remove them [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="As soon as possible"]asap[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]. I've also read that the methylene (?) blue is used to stop blue light, which stimulates fungus growth. I'm covering the tank completely with towels and checking every now and then. Tank is covered to keep light from reaching the eggs too much so fungus doesn't grow as fast. I forgot to pick up the methylene blue few days ago at the [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf], so I'll see how this method goes. [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf], parents are still protecting the area where I removed the rock from. Silly beasts... hope they aren't mad at me for doing this With good feedings and regular water changes they spawn every 2-3 weeks, so next time they can try to raise them themselves again. (If my artificial raising works out, otherwise I will remove the eggs to try again.) Tank is filled with a mixture of 50% water from the tank they came from and 50% water from my other tank. (all have same water values) Here are the readings for my breeding tank water: [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 0 [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: <10ppm [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 7,4 [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: >16°d [acronym:5fdb4d4ebf="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:5fdb4d4ebf]: 3° d

05-29-2005, 03:26 PM	#5
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Wahoo, I'm beginning to see wigglers!!!! Eggs are hatching now. I think there are around 80 'good' eggs left, rest has gone white (though my estimation of 200 original eggs was a bit high, maybe 150). I had a hard time removing the eggs that had fungus on them. I tried with tweezers, but I always caught at least one other Good egg as well. So I decided against removing them. And the ones I did get loose either busted when I got hold of them with my tweezers, or flew off the rock into the tank, thus creating waste, and I don't want that, because I'm not doing any water changes in the first week and a half-2 weeks. So once all eggs have hatched I'll wave the wigglers of the rock and remove the rock with the 'bad' eggs on it. That way removing most of the waste without having to syphon off with the risk of removing wigglers. Keeping my fingers crossed!! I will try to take pics of the wigglers, BUT, my digi cam sucks, so things this tiny may be hard to catch.

05-30-2005, 05:09 AM	#7
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Morning of 30/05/2005 Last night before I went to bed I removed all the babies from the rock. I did this by gently brushing by them with my finger. All of them got loose, but also allot of fungused eggs They were spread throughout the whole bottom of the tank. In the morning when I woke up, nearly all the wigglers had somehow moved themselves together! So they're now nicely wiggling next to eachother. There are around 50-60 wigglers. Here are some pics, notice the high amount of bad eggs. Not going to syphon them off though, because I will suck allot of babies up. General view: Detail of wigglers+ bad eggs:

05-30-2005, 08:22 AM	#8
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Congrats Thomas. You've earned my respect as an outstanding aquarist.