Unexpected Jewel Cichlid babies! (pics)

[liquidice79]

I have a mix of cichlid's in my 67gal tank and I noticed the other day that two of the 3 jewel's have paired off and started a family! Below is Mum and Dad. It's not a great shot but the best I could do in a rush.

And now the babies

So far they are terrific parents, there must be at least 50 fry, but I'm at a total loss as to what I'm supposed to do! This is so completely unexpected, and I've never bred cichlid's before so I don't know if I should rush out and buy a breeding trap to keep the bubbies in or leave everyone alone and let nature do her thing. I also don't have a spare tank set up that I can throw anyone into or any baby food for fish. Help!! What should I do?

 

[Algenco]

Since you don't have another tank for them, I would leave them and let nature take it's course

 

[rich311k]

Congrats. Mom and Dad will be great parents. They will terrorize everything in the tank to protect their young.

 

[liquidice79]

Thankyou, thankyou. It was a very proud moment when I realised. And then came the thoughts of what do I do. All the others fish have stayed away but if they get too close mum or dad will chase them away. No-one has been hurt so far.

I've decided to let nature take her course. I have high quality flake food that I'm crushing up really tiny for the bubbies. Cross everything that at least a few survive!

 

[SparKy697]

I feel your pain. Not being ready is frustrating at the least.

Those are some beautiful fish though.

Good Luck!

 

[liquidice79]

Hey thanks Sparky, they are definitely my favourites in the tank. It all ended badly though. All the fry were eaten. Each morning when I got up to check there were less each time. However, mum and dad are at it again! I noticed some more fry this afternoon. I have a tiny 14 litre tank with a HOB filter that I plan to use as a nursery, provided it cycles in time and the babies don't get eaten this time. MTS has struck again!

The tank and filter are brand new so I took some water from my big tank and filled the small one with it and took some of the substrate out and chucked it in the tank too. I have no idea where an ammonia source will come from though. Maybe crushed up flake food?