I Have Firemouth Eggs

[jb12288]

A few minutes ago I was looking at the tank and i saw tons of firemouth eggs on a piece of slate rock!!!! So I ran upstairs and got the camera to snap a few pictures. I would guess about 100-200 eggs. I have never had firemouths before, do I raise them just like any other fish, the fry I mean? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am excited.

this is the daddy

 

[shroob]

A few minutes ago I was looking at the tank and i saw tons of firemouth eggs on a piece of slate rock!!!! So I ran upstairs and got the camera to snap a few pictures. I would guess about 100-200 eggs. I have never had firemouths before, do I raise them just like any other fish, the fry I mean? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am excited.

I don't know what other fish you have raised, but the parents should look after the fry (as opposed to say guppies, which would eat them). Depending on how long ago the eggs were laid, they should be wrigglers pretty soon. Don't worry if you look in and can't see them, the parents may have moved them to a different location (I know I panicked when I couldn't see mine). Once they are free swimming you can offer them food such as baby brineshrimp or finely crushed flake. If they are first time parents it might take them a few times to get things right, but if you stick with them it should be rewarding. I havn't personal experience, so hopefully someone else will chip in.

EDIT: Forgot to say congratulations

 

[jb12288]

A few minutes ago I was looking at the tank and i saw tons of firemouth eggs on a piece of slate rock!!!! So I ran upstairs and got the camera to snap a few pictures. I would guess about 100-200 eggs. I have never had firemouths before, do I raise them just like any other fish, the fry I mean? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am excited.

I don't know what other fish you have raised, but the parents should look after the fry (as opposed to say guppies, which would eat them). Depending on how long ago the eggs were laid, they should be wrigglers pretty soon. Don't worry if you look in and can't see them, the parents may have moved them to a different location (I know I panicked when I couldn't see mine). Once they are free swimming you can offer them food such as baby brineshrimp or finely crushed flake. If they are first time parents it might take them a few times to get things right, but if you stick with them it should be rewarding. I havn't personal experience, so hopefully someone else will chip in.

EDIT: Forgot to say congratulations

i have raised convicts several times to use as feeders. this is their first time laying eggs, so i am guessing they will probably eat the eggs this time, but so far they are still here. i just need to go pick up some more baby brine shrimp. do i need to rehome the fry when they are three weeks old>

EDIT they have only been in the tank since saturday

 

[jb12288]

As I predicted the mother and father have ate more than half of the eggs. Hopefully the remaining eggs will not be eaten

 

[ox5477]

well even if they are all eaten, I'm sure the parents will have a new batch in a few weeks and they can try at it again. Congrats man

 

[jb12288]

Thanks. I am hoping to be able to raise them and sell them to my lfs as they never have firemouths. I had to drive up to marietta and get these.

 

[ox5477]

well good luck. would be nice too turn this into a little extra fun. Prob won't become alot of money, as they will pay you pennies for each baby, but still an extra money can't hurt for doing something you have fun doing

 

[jb12288]

they pay 20% of what they sell them for

 

[ox5477]

I doubt for small babies they would pay that much. If you had a big tank that you could grow them out in a little, then you may get that price, but it all depends on the lfs

 

[jb12288]

i have an empty 55, perfect to raise them in!

 

[ox5477]

cool. when they get to about 3/4" of an inch, i would start selling them, cause depending on how many young survive, that tank will get crowded quite quickly with 100 to 150 little fm's

 

[jb12288]

i know what you mean, I am hoping to get another 55 gallon here soon for a spare, just in case of emergencies or over population of fry. On the other hand, there are about 60 or 70 eggs left on the rock, and tomorrow is the third day, so if any are left by then, well I will hopefully have babies. *crosses fingers*

 

[ox5477]

good luck man

 

[jb12288]

Most of the remaining eggs turned completely snow white. I am guessing that means they hatched. When my convict eggs hatched they didnt turn white, but I have never had firemouths though, so i am assuming they are different;

 

[ox5477]

if they turn white, it means they are dead. If you can tell... if they are split open like peas, then they prob hatched and the parents have shooed them to a secluded spot where you won't be able to see them, but if they are still solid spheres, this means they are dead...sorry

You want the eggs to be yellow (yolk sack). Usually the parents will recognize which ones are dead and alive and will eat the white ones out of the healthy eggs. But seeing as how this is there first time.... they were just winging it. But they will learn quickly

question: Did you see atleast one parent over the eggs fanning them at all time? the parents need to do this to keep fresh wtaer flowing over the eggs for them to keep oxygenated