FWmom
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 32
I just found five 'surprise' fry a few days ago in my tank of six "mixed cichlids" and one pictus catfish. They were about 1/4" three days ago, and nearly 1/3" today. I have plenty of plastic plants, logs and caves to hide, so I have no clue who the parents are or how many didn't survive. I've been adding a pinch of crushed veggie flakes with the adults' floating pellets, so they're busy while the fry come out to grab the falling flakes. (Was surprised how large a piece they can gobble up!) I notice there is also some green algae on the 'caves' they are grazing on. They seem to be quick enough to keep out of the way of the big fish, so I'm taking the chance to leave them until a larger tank goes on sale.
I cleaned the tank this morning. The pictus has half of the bottom staked out, and keeps that side clean of debris. The HOB filter is also on that end. Two fry have their hidey holes above, in the 'log' crevices. The other side gets an accumulation of debris, mainly in the back corner. I took a chance and move everything on that side to the center, fry and all. Vacuumed that area, and put everything back. The three fry went right back to their choice of hiding places, as if never disturbed.
I've been running an Aquaclear 110 with double everything, Purigen, bio media, polishing pads, plus pothos plants water rooted out the back corners. If I can't get the larger tank before they grow out to fingerling, I plan to add a second 110. Weekly 1/4 tank water changes, and media rinsing every other week.
I cleaned the tank this morning. The pictus has half of the bottom staked out, and keeps that side clean of debris. The HOB filter is also on that end. Two fry have their hidey holes above, in the 'log' crevices. The other side gets an accumulation of debris, mainly in the back corner. I took a chance and move everything on that side to the center, fry and all. Vacuumed that area, and put everything back. The three fry went right back to their choice of hiding places, as if never disturbed.
I've been running an Aquaclear 110 with double everything, Purigen, bio media, polishing pads, plus pothos plants water rooted out the back corners. If I can't get the larger tank before they grow out to fingerling, I plan to add a second 110. Weekly 1/4 tank water changes, and media rinsing every other week.