Rainbow Cichlids Spawning!

[Monty-2010]

Ok, so the last couple of day's a pair of my rainbow cichlids have been acting really strange cleaning and guarding the top of a cave, attacking any other fish that come near. This morning when i got up i say that they were doing what looked like a strange limbo almost rubbing they're bellies on the stone so i had a closer look and low and behold, they've spawned loads of small yellow eggs covering the flat stone!

So now i'm not sure what to do, do i leave them in there and let nature take it course or to i remove just the eggs or remove the eggs and the parents?

 

[england]

hehe sounds good,mine have also been mock spawning and showing all the signs...

I personally would leave them too it, best to remove tank mates, this is there first time so nothing might not come from it,but could be lucky,

 

[Monty-2010]

I've got nowhere to remove the tank mates to... they're all in my main community tank. they are a vary young pair so you are right i'm just gonna keep hoping.

Keep us updated on what yours do.

 

[england]

yes well in that case,just leave it be,just check the dont get too aggressive with tank mates, should be ok..even if one or two survive or they get so far with rasing its great to witness

 

[Monty-2010]

they behaviour is pretty interesting, it's the first time i've seen cichlids spawn! How long does it take for eggs to hatch?

 

[england]

Normally around two-three days to get eggs with tails...you will probally find some will turn white with fungus,hopefully the parents will remove these to stop the fungus spreading

 

[Monty-2010]

Another question how do i clean the tank with the eggs in?

 

[england]

Dont, just wait til they have hatched..leave about a week to week and a half, then just syphon some water out from a corner of the tank without sucking up the fry

 

[Monty-2010]

nice one!

 

[Monty-2010]

I just saw one of the funniest things, both mamma and pappa sqauring up to a parrot cichlid almost three times there size and surprising they won!

 

[Monty-2010]

Eggs have hatched!

I got a phone call while i was at work from my excited wife, the tiny little eggs have now hatched, the parents have moved them from the rock to a small pit they had dug up. I can see loads of little wrigglers on the stones while the parents are desperately trying to keep all the other fish away...

 

[kaivalagi]

Pics please