Advice Holding Red Zeb

[angelmouse]

I have a red zebra holding fry or eggs in her mouth, never had experience in breeding my malawi before. She is in a mixed malawi tank. Do the fry have a chance in a mixed tank or should she be removed. I could do with some advice on what to do next.
Thanks Angel

 

[dthoffsett]

First of all congrats!

Unless you have tons of small places for the fry to hide, they don't stand much of a chance. One or two might make it, but chances are slim.

Here's a great article on breeding and raising fry. Any other questions, just ask.

[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/malawi_cichlids_breeding.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/mala...ds_breeding.php[/URL]
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/stripping.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/stripping.php[/URL]
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/raising_fry.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/raising_fry.php[/URL]

 

[angelmouse]

Thanks for your help dthoffsett, articles were a very good and interesting read. I would like to keep some fry if poss as they add great colour to my malawi tank, so i shall put her in another small tank.
Is it poss that she might eat them, is it best to remove her or let her care for the fry?
I have experience with egg layers but not mouthbrooders so this is a new and fascinating experience for me.
Regards Angel

 

[dthoffsett]

Thanks for your help dthoffsett, articles were a very good and interesting read. I would like to keep some fry if poss as they add great colour to my malawi tank, so i shall put her in another small tank.
Is it poss that she might eat them, is it best to remove her or let her care for the fry?
I have experience with egg layers but not mouthbrooders so this is a new and fascinating experience for me.
Regards Angel

She's unlikely to eat them once they are free swimming, more likely to swallow the eggs if it's her first holding. There's pretty much no parental care once they get too big to hide in her mouth, so unless she's really skinny when she spits I'd move back to the main tank. Just be sure to check her mouth for anyone hiding.