Bolivians Have Spawned!

[xamy_valox]

Yaaay!! I'm so happy!! I have been watching my Bolivians like a hawk the last couple of days after seeing then starting to clean a certain area meticulously as I knew it meant they must be ready to spawn. As it was I didn't catch them in the act as the eggs must have been laid last night whilst I was asleep, so I have no idea if they have been fertilised! Is there any way of telling from these two pics?

The female is keeping very close guard over the top of the eggs and the male is working over time to keep everyone away.

Another question I wanted to ask was, I currently have 1 male and 2 female Bolivians. Since the spawning pair coupled off they have been giving the other female a hard time. Would it be in her interests for me to add a final female to share out the harrassment? Or will she just get over it? I don't want them to stress her too much and have her keel over =\

Thanks, Amy

 

[blue acara]

Congrats on the spawning. How are they doing now? If the eggs are not fertilized they go white after about a day. Its a reasonable idea to add another female to dissipate the pairs aggression between two, it also gives the unpaired female a friend to 'chill' with. The lone female should be ok on her own though so its your call. 

 

[xamy_valox]

I screwed everything up the eggs turned into little wriggles and then into tiny babies. The parents were still being very protective and the babies wouldn't leave their side but I left them overnight and the next morning the numbers had halved. So I went out and bought a breeding box to separate the babies and keep them safe, but they were too small to catch! They all dispersed and I think ended up vein eaten as they didn't re-appear and those that did were gone by the next day anyway

What should I do for next time if they decide to spawn again?

 

[blue acara]

Are the Bolivians in the community tank in your signature? If so it will be difficult for the parents to guard the fry. They will inevitably be eaten by the other residents in the tank. It helps the parents guard the fry if you leave the room light on at night, but still you will lose a lot.
You could get another tank for them to spawn in? The breeding box could work. 
When trying to catch small fry I find syphoning them off with a length of tube into a bucket (already half full so they don't hit the bottom too hard) the easiest way.