My Brownae is holding!!

[Tetramad]

I could see her `rolling` something in her mouth this morning but this was not long after I had fed them, I know they hold food in their mouths sometimes. But after watching her for a while I could tell she was acting different. Low and behold the male turns up really brightly coloured and proceeded to spawn right there in front of me!!!. Absolutely cool to watch, dancing together then her picking the eggs up and then nibbling his egg spots (yep I know how mouth brooding works) there was also my Sinodontis Ocellifer getting in on the action and kept eating some of the eggs, the male never seemed to bother with him but chased all the other Cichlids away. Anyway sorry to go on, how long will they take to hatch and do I need to separate her before they do? I have Nimbos in with them so the fry wont last an hour.

Thanks, Mark.

 

[Tetramad]

Please could someone help me with this, I`m a newbie at Cichlids so I really need some good advice to raise some of these fry.

Thanks, Mark.

 

[freddyk]

They take about 3 weeks to hatch, and the female will continue to care for the for another couple of weeks or so. There are different theoris of when to remove her. Some make a holding tank and remove them right away, others let her hold for close to the 3 weeks and remove her when it's near time. I haven't kept this species, but with mouthbrooders I normally leave them for a while if they're doing well, or move them if they seem stressed.

 

[breezer40]

Ive got both of my female Labeotropheus Fuelborni holding eggs at the moment so I have taken one out and put in a breeding tank and left the other in the main tank. The aim is to see which method produces the best results so when I know (in about another 8 days) I will share my findings.

 

[Tetramad]

OK thanks. Is there a danger of her spitting the eggs if I move her?

 

[freddyk]

That danger does exist, but usually they'll hold on.

 

[Tetramad]

I have a tank ready for her but it is bare at the moment, do I need loads of plants for the fry to hide in once spat or maybe just some rocks?

Mark.

 

[freddyk]

A couple of rocks will do the trick - I like to use ones coated in nice algae. You'll be amazed at how quickly they become bold and greet you at the front.

 

[Tetramad]

Is the mum a danger to the fry once she has spat them out?