Blue Rams Have Just Laid Eggs!

[STEVE2493]

come home today, an theres eggs on a leaf an the rams are fanning them.

couple of question's:
how long before they hatch?

the eggs are about two inch's from the inlet of my external filter, i have a sponge that i can slip over the inlet would i disturb them if i try an get the sponge on?

could i remove them eggs an stick them in my shrimp tank, or should i wait an see if i can catch them when they hatch?

how well will the rams protect there young? as i have a rope fish and mollies, guppies tetras and a golden ram in there with them, its a 55g tank.

would i need to feed the fry? i didn't with my guppie fry an some of them survived.

also should ii drop food near them so they can get some with out leaving the area?

thanks

 

[minxfishy]

Congrats! If you can without disturbing them too much, yes place some netting or sponge over the filter intake to be on the safe side.

The parents, once they get the hang of things, are very good parents, in some instances if this is their first spawn, they may eat the eggs or the newly hatch babies, if they feel they are under threat or they just dont understand what they are. In this case, it sounds as if they are doing their job well in fanning the eggs, they should hatch in a few days, the parents will then care for the young, chasing away any of the other fish. I would not remove the eggs as they stand a better chance with the parents than without them.

Once they are born, the parents will look after them, round them up and generally harrass any other fish that comes near them. As for feeding them, liquify is supposed to be quite good, or baby brine shrimp is very good, crushed flake is also a good food source to get them on. If you can get food to the parents without them having to leave their area it would help them out greatly, but they will be fine if you cant.

 

[STEVE2493]

thanks for the info, fingers crossed

 

[peathenster]

Take the eggs out and put them in a bare bottom tank asap. If the new hatches fall into the cracks of your substrate, they'll die.

make sure you have these the next time around:
- an established tank with sponge filter. need very good water
- a microworm culture. BS is too big for GBR fry. They are very picky and may not take prepared fry food.
- leave about 4in water in the tank (easier for fry to find food); add more water as they grow.
- biggest challenge: keep the eggs fungus free. there are chemicals that you can get in your lfs.

good luck.

 

[codeajohnson]

Just wanted to let you know that I am VERY envious of you...and I found a site that I hope you find helpful! Best of luck!

http/www.cathygeier.freeservers.com./spa...livian_rams.htm

 

[peathenster]

I have two pairs that spawn every 8 days (both pairs on the same day). The trick is to get those that are locally bred - avoid asian imports. Got mine from fishfarmusa.

 

[codeajohnson]

I'll definitely keep that in mind. The rams I have now are still fairly young so they might not have hit the breeding age yet. Otherwise I'll look into finding something that I know is locally bred. Thanks for the advice!

 

[STEVE2493]

thanks for all the info guys, just seen a pesty snail eating the eggs, i suppose there getting there own back as my ram eats small snails.