Turquoise Jewel Cichlid Laid Eggs!

[Hunterprey]

Just noticed after cleaning my fish tank my pair of Jewels laid eggs! They've been guarding the eggs. These are my first two Jewels, luckily they paired up! They haven't been really aggressive yet, maybe after the eggs hatch... this is my first breeding pair ever. Its pretty cool to watch them

Heres a picture

Also heres my breeding pair 

 

[RRaquariums]

Very cool I had a pair of these when I had my cichlid tank and they never got super aggressive.
They are a pretty chill fish as cichlids go.
Congrats on getting them to breed and it's so cool to watch them take care of the babies when they hatch.
Keep us posted with pics we love those

 

[Hunterprey]

They are getting more aggressive with the Demasoni so I separated him. But they usually just ignore the Siamese algae eater. The Jewels just stay in their territory and wont eat. Is this normal? The eggs are kinda scattered in the tank right now but there are still some in their territory and theyre all wiggling!

 

[RRaquariums]

Mine wouldn't eat while they where watching the eggs. That's why it's so important to have them fattened up and healthy before breeding if possible since they tend to get kinda thin while they watch over the eggs.

 

[Hunterprey]

Thanks Im relieved that its normal. When should I try to feed the parents? Once fry are free swimming?

 

[RRaquariums]

Yeah once they are free swimming the parents should start to eat again. Try some shrimp or whatever there favorite food is to entice them when the time comes.

 

[Hunterprey]

Both Jewels are now eating. Now do I have to feed the swimming babies or the parents will crush their food for their babies to eat? I also leave the lights on in one side of tank at night so mama Jewel can protect them from predators... I think she has about 30 babies left. I'll try to post a video in a bit

 

[Hunterprey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmNo99O2ee8

 

[Hunterprey]

Here's a better look