Suprise Suprise...

[Muscy_Mel]

Ok today after my Blockhead's had pulled their plants to bits and bunged up the filter, i decided to try to make their tank abit more cichlid proof, lol.
Well, their i was trying to sort out their lil cave when i noticed on the back was god knows how many lil yellow eggs stuck to it.
I know they can breed well in captivity but wasn't expecting that yet considering i only brought them Saturday. Anyways dispite my bulldozing actions earlier today, they are being faithful to their clutch, and continuing to be devoted parents.

If anyone has any advice on what i should or shouldn't be doing, please let me know. I have no idea what i'll do with the fry once their fully grown, guess i'll have to start looking for homes for them... i might contact the aquatics shop i brought them from... maybe they would want some back, lol.

Mel x

 

[WaterBender1995]

Welcome to Steatocranus Hell!!!! like I told you before, get ready for TONS of babies, oh and they dont seem to stop either!!! Just make sure you give them LOTS of space, extra tanks on hand would be smart and watch your water changes!
After their free swimming turn off your filter for feeding & just use crushed flake.

 

[darrel69]

Id love to see some pics

 

[Muscy_Mel]

Thanks alot, although i got good advice for the aquatics shop, i wasn't told that they breed like rabbits. Guess they wanted them off their hands, huh? The parents are doing well, still messing my carefully designed tank up, lol.
I'll try to get some pictures or video clips, it'll be lovely to see fish that care for their babes, unlike my platies that seem to either ignore them or attempt to eat them.

Mel x

 

[Muscy_Mel]

Ok, today when i checked their tank over... remvoing dead leaves and such i noticed the eggs have gone. I looked around to see if they had been moved, but no... i can't see them anywhere.
Im confused now as to whats happened. Any ideas please?

 

[darrel69]

Have they been eaten ??

 

[Muscy_Mel]

If they have been eaten, it would be by the parents... i dont have any other fish in that tank. The tank they are currently in is actually a quarantine tank, i want to move them soon to another tank where again they'll be on their own. Maybe it was just due to stress as i haven't had them for long.
Once they settle into their new tank hopefully they'll have a new batch.

 

[darrel69]

If they have been eaten, it would be by the parents... i dont have any other fish in that tank. The tank they are currently in is actually a quarantine tank, i want to move them soon to another tank where again they'll be on their own. Maybe it was just due to stress as i haven't had them for long.
Once they settle into their new tank hopefully they'll have a new batch.

Oh right... well if your sure they aint fallen on the substrate or something, my guess is they've been eaten. Maybe its because its their first batch ?? I know some fish can fail their first lot... Im sure they'll be loads more though lol ..

 

[Muscy_Mel]

Yeah i checked the tank all over for the eggs and couldn't find them, and i haven't seen any lil babies either. The lady at the aquatics shop said they have bred once at least before i brought them. Hopefully they'll try again in the future.
Oh, lovely pic of the puppies by the way Darrel.

 

[darrel69]

Thanks lol ... they aint mine btw.. i found it on the net somewere ages ago. Cant remember were ?? ...

Ive tried changing it to one of my own but it wont let me for sum reason ???

Your blockheads look really nice btw ..

 

[Muscy_Mel]

Oh ok, lol. To be honest the Blockhead piccys are off the internet too, i haven't been able to take any pics of mine yet...

Well the pair seem to be doing ok today, the female has been busy for the last day or so making a new 'home'. Maybe they felt their last 'nest' wasn't suitable for some reason. I'm planning on moving them into their permanent tank tommorrow after i've done a water test, so i don't want her to get too comfortable.
I've done lots of reasearch on the internet, but generally seem to be trawling up the same stuff, does anyone know how often they lay a batch of eggs? I wonder if she's getting ready to have some more by how busy she's been...???
Their so interesting, very active lil fish, moving the gravel and plants around that i so carefully placed and laid out... lol.