Kribs

[guppymonkey]

My kribs have layed eggs at least 5 times but have never gotten past 3 days until now. They are being kept in a 20 gallon long with 6 cherry barbs and a pair of 1/2 inch convicts. I know that the convicts have to have their own tank but they are still too small to breed. They laid the eggs about 10 days ago and I think the fry are just about free swimming now (its hard to see them way back in the cave). What should I try to feed the fry? I have a brine shrimp hatchery but I didn't know if I should use it because I thought the other fish might start going after the fry then. Is crushed flake food alright? Will the cherry barbs survive the krib parents?

Oh yeah, one last thing, how long until the parents start to breed again? I want to have another tank set up for the fry by then.

 

[modernhamlet]

Krib fry aren't as picky as many other species, and would do well with baby brine shrimp and finely ground flake. I also hear that the tiny creatures found in mature java moss are a good food source.

 

[guppymonkey]

How long will it be before the parents stop taking care of their babies? I want to have a grow out tank set up by that time.

 

[modernhamlet]

Basically, you can keep them with the parents until the parents are ready to spawn again. This can be as soon as 4 weeks, but may be delayed by the presence of fry.

A couple of good articles on Kribs and breeding...

http/www.aquarticles.com/articles/breedi..._Kribensis.html

http/fish.mongabay.com/species/Pelvicachromis_pulcher.html

 

[guppymonkey]

YAY! My fry are free swimming as of this afternoon! The parents have them herded underneath the openning to their cave. The other fish are at the opposite side of the tank but otherwise seem to be ok. Will the parents bother the other fish that much?

 

[semper fi]

as long as the other fish don't get too nosey or hungry for live foods, probably not