first cichlid fry

[vantgE]

Hey my first cichlid fry are here and have some questions,
They are maylandia lombardoi in a 20 gallon with sponge filter, i was under the impresion that the mother spat out her fry then should be imediately removed or they are in danger of being eaten but the mother keeps picking them up after i enter the room, unless she hungary, i feed her and then she picks them all up

How can i remove her if she keeps picking up the fry?
And when will the maternal instinct stop and she become intrsted in eating them?
should she be removed as soon as possible or wait till she is done being a good mommy?

plus any other tips that you'd like to offer on raising them would be great I am colonizeing infusoria in a jar and bought hikari first bite food for them.

Thankyou

 

[freddyk]

I'd remove the mother as soon as she gives you a chance. As long as she's scooping them up before you can I wouldn't worry about it, unless you are willing to strip her (force her to spit the fry).

The fry are very easy to care for. Water changes as often as you can, preferably a bare bottom tank for optimum conditions. For food I've always crushed spirulina flakes into a powder and used that - you can mix it with the first bites. The veggie diet is important though. They're going to grow very fast, and are usually a nice size when released in the first place, so I don't think infusoria will be useful for very long. I always cultivated algae on a rock for my fry to graze at as well.

 

[vantgE]

eeeee, i feel so bad she got so territorial and would try and attack myfinger when i put it near the tank she was attacking the net when i caught her, it's not usual then i put the bag in the new tank and she's freking out trying to attack all the fish swimming around her

 

[freddyk]

She'll readjust.