Take Her Out Or Leave Her In?

[fishchick]

So my female zebra has been holding eggs for just over a week now. I have a few books on cichlids and have read some articles online. Some suggest taking the female out of the main tank and placing her in one of her own. Some say to leave her. Kinda stuck here on what to do.. I really want these babies to live but I'm affraid she'll spit the eggs if I catch her or stress her out..Any suggestions?? Thanks!

 

[a.wagg]

I would just leave her be. This probably won't be the last time she will hold. If other fish start picking on her, then move her, or eat most, if not all of the fry, then you may want to get a different tank for her, but for the first time, just leave her be and see how she does.

 

[neil@northantsmalawis]

Good advice, if you disturb her she may be reluctant to hold again. Always best to let them hold full term and spit in the tank first time. If you do want to remove her you need to leave her were she is for at least 20 days then take her out. Taking her out too early may cause her to spit early or swallow the eggs.

 

[fishchick]

Ok great advice thank you!! How long after the eggs hatch till she spits them normally? That way I have an Idea of when to start watching for the fry.. I'll leave her be and grab the fry when she spits them..

 

[neil@northantsmalawis]

She'll only spit when she feels safe to let them go or if she cant hold them any longer. She defo wont spit while your in front of the tank. If there is plenty of rock work etc they will hide amoungst it. But trying to catch them without the other fish eating them will be impossible. If you leave them you may get a 10% survival rate with the young. As they grow they will venture in and out for food. When there big enough they will join the others.

 

[fishchick]

Thanks, I don't have much rock in the tank but I have a bunch of cholla wood in there which will give the fry a great place to hide that is completely inaccessible to the larger fish in the tank. Hopefully she'll release them near it when she does.