I Have A Preggo Cichlid

[guidedbyechoes]

ok so now I have a fish ready to become an f1. What shall I need?

I plan on using a plastic container one of the clear longer ones about 30 or so gallons. I take it I will need filtration and a heater.

But what kind of filtration? I don't want them stressed from a huge current.

Also I have brine shrimp what else can I feed them?

How long before I can seperate them from their parents?

And do I need to set up a sand and rock setup for them as well?

 

[Bungy]

ok so now I have a fish ready to become an f1. What shall I need?

I plan on using a plastic container one of the clear longer ones about 30 or so gallons. I take it I will need filtration and a heater.

But what kind of filtration? I don't want them stressed from a huge current.

Also I have brine shrimp what else can I feed them?

How long before I can seperate them from their parents?

And do I need to set up a sand and rock setup for them as well?

Its certainly best to separate the female into her own tank, with heater and filtration using either sponge of small internal such as Fluval 1.
This should be done as soon after you see her "holding" as possible. After approx 3 weeks she will be ready to "spit" - during this time there is no point in feeding her as this will go to waste and foul your water. You will need to furnish your tank only with a few small rocks and some slate to form a bridge/cave etc NO SUBTRATE needed. When you see your fry among the rocks - remove the female - ideally to a yet another separate tank with the same setup so she can be fed for a couple of days to regain strength. Prior to returning her to the main tank again be sure to re-organise your rockwork - she will be viewed as a threat as the pairing bond may have been broken - by rearranging the rockwork you force all the other tankmates to re-establish their terrotories and thus she will usually survive the re-introduction. If you cant move the female to another tank for feeding, it may be easier to move the fry - in which case the same setup will be ideal, use a mature sponge filter if you can to prevent any losses from the filter intake. Keep the female in the same tank for a couple of days to feed-up then re-introduce as explained above.

Hope this helps and good luck

Bungy


First foods - BBS are always a winner however Microworms are a great substitute - in fact thats all I use for the first couple of weeks then on to very fine grade granuals from TA Aquaculture supplemented with Microworms.