I currently have 2 venustus in my 125 gallon mbuna tank. They are great! I have 1m/1f and the good news is shes pregnant. I have a few questions. I am thinking about picking up two more ASAP and growing them out, the females stay the male goes. Good idea? Anyhow the female has been holding now for almost 3 weeks, i can see the little guys looking out at me when she cracks her mouth. I really want to try and save as many as possible as i am sure they will not be hybrid fish. I have a spare 20 gallon tank that i am thinking about setting up as a fry tank. I leave for vacation saturday so i am conflicted between stripping her and setting the fry in the 20 gallon, or taking her and putting her in the 20 gallon which is my concern because i know its small i just want the best possible chance for the fry to survive. Any ideas, comments, opinions would be greatly appreciated.... Also this male is taking a huge liking to the female, they are inseperable in the tank, They dont pair up do they??

I am thinking about picking up two more ASAP and growing them out, the females stay the male goes. Good idea?
Adding more females would be a good idea, I'd add them to the main tank as soon as they are large enough not to be eaten. The adults generally accept juvenile additions rather than adults. I'd still rearrange territories to give them the best chance though.

Anyhow the female has been holding now for almost 3 weeks, i can see the little guys looking out at me when she cracks her mouth. I really want to try and save as many as possible as i am sure they will not be hybrid fish. I have a spare 20 gallon tank that i am thinking about setting up as a fry tank. I leave for vacation saturday so i am conflicted between stripping her and setting the fry in the 20 gallon, or taking her and putting her in the 20 gallon which is my concern because i know its small i just want the best possible chance for the fry to survive. Any ideas, comments, opinions would be greatly appreciated....
At close to three weeks holding she should be ready to spit fry any day now. If you are going to set up a fry tank you need to do is as soon as possible (remember fry need a cycled tank). I'd recommend stripping her to avoid the stress of a small tank, and then reintroduction to the large tank. Plus if the fry still have their egg sacks attached, they can go a couple of days without food. If you haven't already read it, I suggest reading this article on raising mouthbrooder fry.

Also this male is taking a huge liking to the female, they are inseperable in the tank, They dont pair up do they??
No they aren't paring fish. Most (if not all) haps are harem breeders, where 1 male will mate with as many females as he can. I highly suggest adding some females soon, as the one you have now is likely to be stressed or attacked by the male if she doesn't want to breed when he does (read all the time). Not only that, but it really isn't good for a female to hold frequently with very little time between broods. Since they go so long without food, not having much of a chance to recover can leave her underweight, lead to disease as well as affect her broods (small numbers and a possible increase in weak or defective fry).

Hope I helped some.