Update: My Keyhole cichlids have SPAWNED!!!!!!!!(pictures!) - Aquarium Advice

Billsgate · 02-02-2005, 05:44 PM

Hi,

Since I added turf to my filter 2 weeks ago my keyholes have paired off. There was only 1 male and 1 female left, other 3 were returned to the store. Before I added the turf, my female would be stressed and chased around all day long by the male. Now they are finally mates! How can one tell? Well, the female now has her 'keyhole' (dark marking on the back portion of the body) showing, while this wasn't the case before. They are always hanging out together, and when they are seperated for only half a minute, they desperatly go looking for eachother and do a little dance to show just how happy they are. By dance I mean they both stick out their gills and shake there body side to side, head to tail.
The male is really a show off. He continuously swims in front of the female, stands at an angle and starts shaking his body, but the female is not responding to that part yet. I also saw him taking a leaf of my small anubias in his mouth, and he bent it all the way to the other side of where it should be. Is this all just showing off?
I am 100% sure that it's male and female. I know how to differentiate them, so it's not two males fighting over territory.
I increased the amount of frozen foods I give them (not more food, just instead of flakes), and raised the temperature to 79°F from 76°F.
They have plenty of slate and wood to spawn on.

Sorry for the long rattle, I just love to talk about them. Is there anything else I can do? Do I have to worry about the tankmates? Female betta is being left alone, but they aren't tolerant of the 2 [acronym:25877b4966="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:25877b4966] in there, they chase them away if they get too close.

[acronym:25877b4966="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:25877b4966]!

Menagerie · 02-02-2005, 07:37 PM

You may want to give them their own 10 [acronym:5fa003cb7f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:5fa003cb7f]. When they spawn, they will be a bit more aggressive and the other fish will want to snack on the eggs.

Billsgate · 02-03-2005, 06:32 AM

I would rather move the other 3 inhabitants then to move them. They have already selected a rock to spawn on, they are constantly cleaning that rock and defending it. But the trouble will be to catch the [acronym:7f487a9dac="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:7f487a9dac]. I think I will set up a trap for them instead of netting them. I think that in my 30 [acronym:7f487a9dac="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:7f487a9dac] the fry will have a better chance of survival, since it's an established tank. I'll keep you guys updated when they eventually will lay their eggs.

BrianNY · 02-03-2005, 06:50 AM

Moving the keyholes or their tankmates is a good idea. Don't worry about where they've chosen to spawn. You can take every bit of decor out of the tank to catch the other fish without breaking the spawning instinct. When you replace it, it'll be quickly forgotten and they'll go about their business.

Billsgate · 02-03-2005, 06:59 AM

I believe what you say Brian, but I don't want to remove my decorations, simply because I want 0 stress on my keyhole cichlids

Out of principle :P But I'll get them two [acronym:4faedcaae0="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:4faedcaae0] with a nice trap.....being an aquarist requires some inventivity.....

Let's say I would move the female betta as well, do you suspect any problems with the 2 honey gouramis she will be joining? Or can I leave her in? I don't think she will be aggresive, she's very nice, well tempered. She does get chased away by my keyholes now, but only if she comes too close. And she's smart enough not to get beat up by them.

BrianNY · 02-03-2005, 07:10 AM

Well Thomas, being cichlids the stress will be more on you then them. [acronym:d0757e43a5="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:d0757e43a5]

Here's what I mean. I have 3 tanks with communal discus. When I see the signs of spawning, I net the pair and merely drop them in a spawning tank. The pH and temp are the same. I then lower the temp a few degrees and I'll usually have the spawn within a few hours (sometimes minutes). Very often a drop in temp is their signal to spawn.

Billsgate · 02-03-2005, 07:50 AM

Okey, I'll try to net my [acronym:8249ae0a8c="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:8249ae0a8c] without moving decorations, and if that doesn't work I'll remove the driftwood (they hide under there). Thanks for the advice Brian, I appreciate it.

Billsgate · 02-03-2005, 01:45 PM

Woooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

My little babies have babies! Beautifull!!!! I went away from them about 2 hours ago, and I noticed they're reproductive organs were showing. When I entered the room an hour ago, the female was laying eggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right in the center in the front of the tank!!!! On a big white rock! I lowered the temp to 24°C earlier today after it had been at 26 for a few days, following your advice Brian!!!! Thanks so much.

This is special for me, these were my first fish, I bought them as babies, and now they're producing babies of their own

I luv them

Pictures will follow in a few minutes, have to resize them

Billsgate · 02-03-2005, 01:53 PM

Okey here they are!
I know it is likely that they will eat them since they are inexperienced, but if so, I'm sure they'll reproduce soon enough.

Menagerie · 02-03-2005, 02:12 PM

That's quite a bunch of eggs!

02-02-2005, 05:44 PM	#1
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Update: My Keyhole cichlids have SPAWNED!!!!!!!!(pictures!) Hi, Since I added turf to my filter 2 weeks ago my keyholes have paired off. There was only 1 male and 1 female left, other 3 were returned to the store. Before I added the turf, my female would be stressed and chased around all day long by the male. Now they are finally mates! How can one tell? Well, the female now has her 'keyhole' (dark marking on the back portion of the body) showing, while this wasn't the case before. They are always hanging out together, and when they are seperated for only half a minute, they desperatly go looking for eachother and do a little dance to show just how happy they are. By dance I mean they both stick out their gills and shake there body side to side, head to tail. The male is really a show off. He continuously swims in front of the female, stands at an angle and starts shaking his body, but the female is not responding to that part yet. I also saw him taking a leaf of my small anubias in his mouth, and he bent it all the way to the other side of where it should be. Is this all just showing off? I am 100% sure that it's male and female. I know how to differentiate them, so it's not two males fighting over territory. I increased the amount of frozen foods I give them (not more food, just instead of flakes), and raised the temperature to 79°F from 76°F. They have plenty of slate and wood to spawn on. Sorry for the long rattle, I just love to talk about them. Is there anything else I can do? Do I have to worry about the tankmates? Female betta is being left alone, but they aren't tolerant of the 2 [acronym:25877b4966="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:25877b4966] in there, they chase them away if they get too close. [acronym:25877b4966="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:25877b4966]!

02-02-2005, 07:37 PM	#2
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	You may want to give them their own 10 [acronym:5fa003cb7f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:5fa003cb7f]. When they spawn, they will be a bit more aggressive and the other fish will want to snack on the eggs. __________________

02-03-2005, 02:12 PM	#10
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	That's quite a bunch of eggs! __________________

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02-03-2005, 06:32 AM	#3
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	I would rather move the other 3 inhabitants then to move them. They have already selected a rock to spawn on, they are constantly cleaning that rock and defending it. But the trouble will be to catch the [acronym:7f487a9dac="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:7f487a9dac]. I think I will set up a trap for them instead of netting them. I think that in my 30 [acronym:7f487a9dac="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:7f487a9dac] the fry will have a better chance of survival, since it's an established tank. I'll keep you guys updated when they eventually will lay their eggs.

02-03-2005, 06:50 AM	#4
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Moving the keyholes or their tankmates is a good idea. Don't worry about where they've chosen to spawn. You can take every bit of decor out of the tank to catch the other fish without breaking the spawning instinct. When you replace it, it'll be quickly forgotten and they'll go about their business.

02-03-2005, 06:59 AM	#5
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	I believe what you say Brian, but I don't want to remove my decorations, simply because I want 0 stress on my keyhole cichlids Out of principle :P But I'll get them two [acronym:4faedcaae0="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:4faedcaae0] with a nice trap.....being an aquarist requires some inventivity..... Let's say I would move the female betta as well, do you suspect any problems with the 2 honey gouramis she will be joining? Or can I leave her in? I don't think she will be aggresive, she's very nice, well tempered. She does get chased away by my keyholes now, but only if she comes too close. And she's smart enough not to get beat up by them.

02-03-2005, 07:10 AM	#6
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Well Thomas, being cichlids the stress will be more on you then them. [acronym:d0757e43a5="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:d0757e43a5] Here's what I mean. I have 3 tanks with communal discus. When I see the signs of spawning, I net the pair and merely drop them in a spawning tank. The pH and temp are the same. I then lower the temp a few degrees and I'll usually have the spawn within a few hours (sometimes minutes). Very often a drop in temp is their signal to spawn.

02-03-2005, 07:50 AM	#7
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Okey, I'll try to net my [acronym:8249ae0a8c="Chinese Algae Eater"]CAE[/acronym:8249ae0a8c] without moving decorations, and if that doesn't work I'll remove the driftwood (they hide under there). Thanks for the advice Brian, I appreciate it.

02-03-2005, 01:45 PM	#8
Billsgate Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,604 Images: 8	Woooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo My little babies have babies! Beautifull!!!! I went away from them about 2 hours ago, and I noticed they're reproductive organs were showing. When I entered the room an hour ago, the female was laying eggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right in the center in the front of the tank!!!! On a big white rock! I lowered the temp to 24°C earlier today after it had been at 26 for a few days, following your advice Brian!!!! Thanks so much. This is special for me, these were my first fish, I bought them as babies, and now they're producing babies of their own I luv them Pictures will follow in a few minutes, have to resize them