Cacatuoides eggs

[emjay653]

All,

My Cacatuoides (Sp) have just surprised me and laid eggs. The surprise was in the fact that the female was pregnant!!

Anyway, I've got no idea what to do about them, so I'm looking for help.

Currently they're in a general tank with Red Robin Gouramis, Cories, Clown Plec & Bristlenose Catfish. Will they be ok in this tank or will I have to get a small tank for them?

As an aside, does anyone know the rough lifespan of these fish?

Mj

 

[CFC]

If you can move the eggs and parents to a seperate tank, bristlenoses and corys are adept egg theives and i have had a male cacatuoides die from the effort of trying to guard a spawn in a community tank.

If you do remove them do not let the eggs be exposed to air, try to scoop whatever they have layed the eggs on up into a container and move the whole thing to the spare tank.

I belive they usually live for around 5 years but so far ive been unable to keep one alive longer than two, if they become sick its normally teh end as they dont react well to treatments

 

[emjay653]

Unfortunately I don't have a spare tank I can move them to and it would take a while to get a new tank cycled, etc.

Anyway, just a few more questions:

Would they survive in a breeding trap, or is that way to small?

I've noticed the male never seems to bother with them, and in fact goes wondering down the other end of the tank leaving the female to guard the eggs, so would I need to move him as well? Is this normal practice?

Can the eggs survive without the female, eg can I move only the eggs or does she need to go with them? Although I'm not sure how I'll do that without her attacking me.

It's such a shock as she didn't even look pregnant in the first place that I'm totally unprepared for them.

Mj

 

[CFC]

The female will closely guard the eggs while the male guards the entire teritory, in nature A.cacatuoides is a harem breeder and the male would guard a territory with several females.

Removing the eggs comes with its own problems, as CM has explained in another post if the eggs are removed from a pair too early it can result in one blaming the other for the loss of the eggs and turning aggressive.

A breeding trap/net is too small for moving the parents to.

 

[emjay653]

I've just read CMs post and see what you mean. It looks like I have no choice but to keep them where they are and hope they can defend them against the BN & Cories...Fingers are crossed, although it does make for hard typing

Mj

 

[joshua]

i heard from the experiences of others that you should remove the male and since he's not looking after the fries no point having him in there... a few of my frens' male ate a few fries