Cichlids breeding

Hi Guys,
I am a newbie here. I was hoping someone could help me with some advice.
I have 5 different species of Cichlids and just discovered that one of the pairs have started breeding. There are 3 fry and are probably 7-8mm by now and hiding out between a rock under a piece of wood in my tank. This seems to be quite a safe place for them and they just tentatively pop out from under there every now and the when the light is on.
My questions are:
1.Do they need better protection from the other big boys in the tank such as a breeding net/box in the tank or will they be ok and move out from under the rock/wood when they are big enough?
2. What do I feed them?
3. Do I need to make any other special adjustments to my setup such as water quality/ph/temp? It is perfect for the adults as it is but I would love for these guys to make it.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi. It would help to know what species they are? My guess is some mouth breeding species if you consider their size. It might be that there are more of them hiding there. No need to change water etc, but the big ones will eat them if they get the chance. Would be great if you could move them to a seperate holding facility. You can easily syphon them out and place them in a floating ice cream box. Just note that you will have to change water regularly, or punch the sides of the box with small holes to circulate water. Food. . .baby brine shrimp, or liquid food, maybe liquid ox heart. Any other suggestions guys?

 

Most cichlid species are easy to breed.Maybe if we know what cichlids you have,we can help you better.

 

enjoy your cichlids hope they bring you many many more fry wish i could get mine to breed

 

Thanks for the response guys. I am sure one of these are the culprits. I embarrassingly don't know the names of them and was hoping you guys could assist me. The fry are light pale yellow in colour and are hiding out in that root with the rock in it. Thanks!

 

I also dont know the name, but its a Malawi altogether. Those are mouthbreeders. The female keeps the eggs and fry in her mouth for a while (i think about 21 days) and when they come out they are exact little replica's of the parents. They will 'survive' on finely crushed flakes, but they will grow much quicker on baby brine shrimp. Normally they have up to about 30 fry. Did you move the fry or are they still hiding?

 

There are only 3 left and they are still in hiding only to poke themselves carefully out now and again in search of food. I haven't seen any interaction with any adults yet so assume they are the yellow species as they are similar in colour. I guess I need to think about moving them then. Do I need to grow/cultivate the shrimp? Thanks for your reply.

 

I would move them if you want them to make it. I bet there was more of them but the others became dinner. . . Though they are 'mouth breeders' once the female sets them free from her mouth they are on their own. There is no further parental care. Yeh, you can buy brine shrimp eggs from LPS. Its fairly expensive normally, and different brands have different hatch rates. Try get with at least 80% hatch rate.

 

Thanks Marco, one more thing. When I do move them, would you recommend a seperate small tank or can I just put them in a small keep tank/net within the main tank until they are big enough? I am going to try the brine shrimp hatchery this weekend. Thanks all for your input.

 

I would say a seperate tank,the small keep net will stress them.

 

In a way you right Stormer, but Malawi's dont really suffer from stress easily. I'd go for the hook-on net type bow. Its about 15cm x 15cm. If they are only 3 it will be big enough and will bypass the risk of a sudden water parameter difference. You can rest assured that these babies are quite tough for fry. Make sure you feed them though. Crush some flakes between 2 spoons until you get the BBS going. Then feed them 3 to 4 times a day. They will grow fairly quick and in 2 to three weeks you can let them out of the net.

 

Thanks guys I will be sure to keep you updated. Quite an exiting learning curve. I have already got the BSS hatchery on the go. Let's see.