Is My Female Saulosi Holding?

[justin85]

I just went to feed my fish and noticed one of my female saulosi with a bulge under her mouth. I am new to keeping cichlids but from what I have read she might be holding. A few days ago I did see a female and the dominant male swimming in circles, which looking like breeding behaviour.

Here's some pictures, not verry good pictures though as she will not stop moving!

I have no idea what I need to do if she is holding but if I can get confirmation then I will start researching.

 

[Moby-Krib]

The buccal cavity does look full in those pictures so Id say yes.
Congrats.
Is she eating at all? If not then holding for sure.

Many cichlids don't hold full term the first go around, but others do.

 

[justin85]

I will check next feed, which is tomorrow. The pictures are not to good, the bulge looks more noticeable to the eye.

What should I do ? This was not part of the plan, at least not yet anyway!

 

[Moby-Krib]

I will check next feed, which is tomorrow. The pictures are not to good, the bulge looks more noticeable to the eye.

What should I do ? This was not part of the plan, at least not yet anyway!

You can just let her spit naturally in 2 to 3 weeks.Some might survive all on their own.
No big deal as they WILL spawn again I'm certain.

If you wish to keep em all a 10 gallon minimum fry tank with simple sponge filter would suffice at first.
No need to pull her right away.
More details if you decide to keep em. I.E. when to pull mom or strip her, feedings etc.

Edit: they are giving you a great compliment, your tank is to their liking and they feel at home enough to breed.

 

[Blue Diamond]

I will check next feed, which is tomorrow. The pictures are not to good, the bulge looks more noticeable to the eye.

What should I do ? This was not part of the plan, at least not yet anyway!

Just leave her and watch , the chances are you will only get one or two survive in a community tank anyway , but its superb watching her spit them out and gather them all up again , if you want to keep them remove her to a seperate tank.

 

[justin85]

Ok, I will leave her this time around, I new they would breed just not this early. I have all the equipment from my discus breeding tanks, but I used 30L tanks which is only 6G ish ?
So I will have to buy a new tank unless these will be ok ?

 

[Moby-Krib]

Ok, I will leave her this time around, I new they would breed just not this early. I have all the equipment from my discus breeding tanks, but I used 30L tanks which is only 6G ish ?
So I will have to buy a new tank unless these will be ok ?

I personally feel its a bit on the small side but would work for a few weeks if you keep up water changes and keep it clean.
wouldn't work past a few weeks growth though in my opinion.
.
At 3 weeks in the fry tank my Acei fry are all over and quite active.

Watch that she isn't harassed terribly. which I doubt she will be if you have proper male to female ratios which I think from memory of your posts you do.

 

[justin85]

Ok, I will leave her this time around, I new they would breed just not this early. I have all the equipment from my discus breeding tanks, but I used 30L tanks which is only 6G ish ?
So I will have to buy a new tank unless these will be ok ?

I personally feel its a bit on the small side but would work for a few weeks if you keep up water changes and keep it clean.
wouldn't work past a few weeks growth though in my opinion.
At 3 weeks in the fry tank my Acei fry are all over and quite active.

Watch that she isn't harassed terribly. which I doubt she will be if you have proper male to female ratios which I think from memory of your posts you do.

She seems to be doing most the chasing around to be honest! But I will be watching closely. As for my ratio, I still don't know how many males/females I have, I have got 14 in there now and 8 more coming Tuesday. My plan is to thin down the males once I know for sure exactly how many iv got.

I used to breed my discus in them tanks with 35+ fry in there withno problems and perfect water parameters, but I think I will try and get a 90L tank for cheap. Iv got everything else.

 

[Moby-Krib]

Ok, I will leave her this time around, I new they would breed just not this early. I have all the equipment from my discus breeding tanks, but I used 30L tanks which is only 6G ish ?
So I will have to buy a new tank unless these will be ok ?

I personally feel its a bit on the small side but would work for a few weeks if you keep up water changes and keep it clean.
wouldn't work past a few weeks growth though in my opinion.
At 3 weeks in the fry tank my Acei fry are all over and quite active.

Watch that she isn't harassed terribly. which I doubt she will be if you have proper male to female ratios which I think from memory of your posts you do.

She seems to be doing most the chasing around to be honest! But I will be watching closely. As for my ratio, I still don't know how many males/females I have, I have got 14 in there now and 8 more coming Tuesday. My plan is to thin down the males once I know for sure exactly how many iv got.

I used to breed my discus in them tanks with 35+ fry in there withno problems and perfect water parameters, but I think I will try and get a 90L tank for cheap. Iv got everything else.

Sounds good, if you do decide to pull her you don't even need to till 2 weeks or so.
The eggs will hatch in a week or so and by 2 weeks they will be capable of free swimming. She could hold up to 3-4 weeks on the long end if she doesn't feel safe to let em go.
Just use your own judgement in how you wish to approach.

 

[justin85]

So she won't be feeding for that long ?

 

[Moby-Krib]

So she won't be feeding for that long ?

Yes. I've read that sometimes a female may take a small amount but I haven't seen that.
Don't worry, they are evolutionarily adapted to cope.
If you feel she is holding too long or getting to thin/weak then strip the young.

 

[justin85]

So she won't be feeding for that long ?

Yes. I've read that sometimes a female may take a small amount but I haven't seen that.
Don't worry, they are evolutionarily adapted to cope.
If you feel she is holding too long or getting to thin/weak then strip the young.

Ok cheers mate.