More Ticos!

[dwarfgourami]

At least 5 more tiny tea cosies (as my daughter calls them). Making a total of 7 youngsters. I did lose a grown male last month (causes unknown)- in fact, the only adults I know for sure are still around are 3 females, but hopefully they are able to store sperm, so numbers can continue to pick up. The two older fry are growing very well, and are active about the tank, eating liquifry and algae. This tank has been a bumpy ride, with the fish so timid and so sensitive, but now I feel a lot more confident. If I can only rear these 7!!! The parents make no attempts to chase them and they are in a species tank, so no predatory threats around.

 

[Silverlady]

Have you got a picture of them dwarfgourami, they sound interesting.

 

[nmonks]

Yes, let's see some pictures!

Are they growing well? Any tricks or tips?

Neale

 

[dwarfgourami]

I want a digital camera for Christmas! The older fry (3 weeks by now?) are growing well and have already got the parent's colours, lovely blue eyes and all. They are much bolder than the parents and are out most of the time. They are taking the fry flakes (liquifry 2) and eating algae in the tank. The biggest is trying to catch daphnia.
I have even seen the parents have a go at the liquifry, but they don't seem to eat ordinary flakes at all. Live daphnia and algae is their main diet, plus a bit of veg- they did have a peck at the pumpkin piece I put in last night. But they are small; they even struggle with the larger daphnia. The tank is mature and very overgrown with algae, which I am doing nothing to combat, since it seems clear they need it. I have started doing smaller twice-weekly water changes since I lost the male, just in case they are sensitive to big changes. I have also floated some hygrophila so I've got roots coming down from the surface to meet the Java fern below. Not the sort of tank I would ever show in the picture forum, but they seem to get a little bit bolder with that extra cover.
The tiny fry are still grey with big eyes and long thin bodies. They swim well and pick at the algae on the sides of the tank and eat off the leaves. Infusoria is probably the most important part of their diet.
I have seen no sign of aggression from either parents or older siblings.