My Rams Moved Thier Eggs Across The Tank

[fishwatcher]

My rams had laid eggs and they had hatched at least a day and half ago. They were on a peice of driftwood. Last night I left the house for about 2 hours. When I came back I went to check on the wigglers, and they were gone. I though, oh, well, they've been eaten. Well this morning I noticed the pair gaurding the fake root on the other side of the tank, and thought, there's no way they've laid eggs again already! And, no, they haven't... they were guarding a patch of wigglers... the same ones that were on the wood in a neat pile were now on the other piece in 2 rough-torn looking patches!
Is this normal??? Why would they do it?? HOW would they do it??
I've never heard of such a thing!

 

[SamUK]

if they moved them they would of done it in there mouths cos they were unhappy with where they were.


u sure they didnt wriggle there way over there tho?


my convict fry always try and explore the tank much to the parents distress lol. they jus have to follow them round and guard the best they can.

 

[annka5]

My rams do same thing when they spawn - they moved them in their mouths. You might also see them chasing after ones who wander to far away, picking them up in their mouths and spitting them out with the others. Cute to watch!

 

[fishwatcher]

I don't think they could have swam by themselves... they are still attached, kwim? Unless they just can unattach and reattach themselves. I've never had egg-layers before so I'm new to all this. From what I can tell they are actually attached to the wood, not free swimming yet. BTW< anyone know how long it will be before that happens?
Thx!

 

[Alps]

yah, those rams looked pretty bright and happy in your pic fishwatcher,

- what size area do they guard around the eggs/fry?

 

[fishwatcher]

I'd say it's about a 3" or so radius. Any fish that crosses that line gets run off. None have been hurt in the least, but they keep them away. Can't wait to see if any survive the first week after they break free.

 

[fishwatcher]

UPDATE... I now have about 8-10 free swimmers! And the parents will grab them in their mouths, chew them up a bit and then spit them out, putting them back where they belong if they go too far away! How awesome!!!

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

That is just too cute. We came close to having ram babies once, but the eggs they guarded so well just didn't amount to anything. The poor female died a couple of weeks later, but that was because the lovely male decided not to breed with her again

Anyway, wonderful to hear, hope all goes well and please put some pics up when they are big enough to photograph. Well, done, plenty of us try to get them to spawn, nevermind actually have fry.