Rainbow Cichlid

[Gooner]

As the title says, I have Rainbow Cichlid Eggs and the pair have dug a pit right under the filter intake. I can only asume that when/if they become wrigglers they will be moved into this pit. What could I do to stop the little wrigglers from being sucked up the intake...apart from switching the filter off!!! Or should I just leave them alone and let themselves sort the problem out.

 

[Mr Bliss]

That's a beautiful pair of rainbows you got there! I'm surprised they've allowed the plants to survive that close to their spawning spot. Mine would shred everything.

If moving the filter intake is an option, I'd do that. Or place some kind of a "wall" between the filter intake and the eggs (a CD case comes to mind). Or use a large jar (or 2 liter soda bottle cut in half) to isolate the intake, like this:

 

[invader]

Put pantyhose over the intake. Just remove it or switch it out when it becomes clogged, or the fry are big enough!

 

[Mr Bliss]

Mm yeah I keep forgetting that pantyhose are every fishkeepers' best friend.

 

[kribensis12]

I tried the panty hose trick. It stopped my filter from working. I suggest going ot Petsmart ( or an other petstore) and buying a AquaClear Spong ( like, 1 dollar ( E.5) ) And stick teh intake in the sponge. Does a great job.

 

[Gooner]

Thanks for suggestions guys

I am an idiot, just realised I can raise the intake up a good 6" as the down pipe is in 3 x 6" sections.

Still might try one of the above suggestion as well, as a precaution.

Cheers.

 

[OldMan47]

The 6 inch move should do the trick. My rainbow adults seldom venture very high up in the water so I can't imagine fry moving far from the substrate. As Krib said, you can get a filter sponge and cut an X in the end, then slip it over your filter tube to keep any fry out of the filter. It won't plug near as fast as pantyhose.