Tropheus Duboisi Spawning

[Nigalius]

Hi, I am after some info if anyone can help. I was lucky enough to see a pair of my Duboisi spawn. I had just come into the room and noticed what was happening. I dont know how long it had been going on for but I stood there for a good 10 minutes before they stopped. I also saw a good few eggs passed and collected in the mouths. I have a few questions...

Approx how long will the female carry before she lets the fry out of her mouth?

I only have about 12 Trophs in the tank, will they not be able to over power the parent fish and eat the fry?

I really dont wanna force the fish to spit the fry, what kind of chance do I have of some surviving? There is a very large amount of lava rock in the tank, one wall straight across the back and one side,

How about water changes, should I leave the gravel vac for a while and just change the water?

I have a small clean empty tank that I could use as a fry tank, would you suggest that? if so, how do I catch the fry with all the rock in there, would it not spook the fish and make her spit prematurely? or should I just let nature take its course and see how many might survive?

I'll get some photos when I can but don't want to spook the fish. I even have a good idea that at least one other female is holding but not sure for how long, she just looks a bit chubby round the chin.

I did have 3 fry about a year ago and they were a good 1/2 inch long but they just disappeared.

In other words, I need help, any info on what is to be done will be very useful.

Cheers Nigel <:{{{><

 

[dthoffsett]

First of all congrats!

Once a female has spawned and is brooding her young, she should be removed so as to prevent undue harrassment by the dominant male in the tank. Incubation lasts anywhere from 24-28 days, and seems to be temperature dependent. Fry are robust and of a fairly large size. Mouthbrooding females usually do not fast during incubation and will in fact eat with their tank mates, although perhaps not as aggressively.

Taken from here. And I suggest you check out the other articles in the Tropheus Corner if you haven't already done so.

If you move her to another tank as suggested, running a sponge filter (cycled of course) will reduce the chances of the fry getting sucked up. If you don't have a sponge filter, you can cover your filter's intake with a clean (never laundered) nylon stocking. Bare bottom tanks are easiest with fry as you can see the bottom to clean it.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. -Dawn