Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Klugei' spawned: To remove the eggs or not?

[nicktc]

Need some opinions.

My pelvicachromis taeniatus klugei had just spwan in a 2ft tank which has another 2 pairs of apisto.

I had moved out the fries of one of the pair for fear that they would become snacks.
I am pretty sure I would do so for the klugei fries if they hatch. But it will be difficult if they become free swimming.
I have the opportunity to remove them at this egg stage because they are laid nicely in a small flower pot.

Questions.
1. What are the chances of the egg hatching with the parent fish?
2. Should I remove eggs with parents?
3. Just let them be in the main tank. Let nature takes it course.

Thanks
Nicholas

[mictok]

I dont think that it is a good time to move the parents and the eggs as they are in high alert mood now and the eggs will be affected by the change of temperature.
Remove the two pairs of Apistogramma instead.

[nicktc]

I had just removed one pair of apisto
Really tough job.

The other pair of apisto seems like going for their second spawning since I removed the fries.

Not sure if they will have already laid their eggs when I reach home tonight.

[trident]

nick,
looks like a nice Christmas present!

[nicktc]

They are at the wriggle stage now and the male is all over the tank.
Somehow, he does not feel threaten or disturbed by the viejita pair at all.
He will even swim among them and feed together with them.
And yes, it does swim back to the nest to relieve the female.

Here’s a pic of the male P. Taeniatus Klugei in breeding dress

[trident]

breeding dress includes torn tail? haha poor chap must be working overtime fighting off the viejita

[nicktc]

It was the elizabethae actually. The viejita was surprisingly docile.

[cricha]

Congrats & nice looking male.

Please keep us posted on the development of the fry.

[nicktc]

8 days later

Fries are almost free swimming.
Both male and female tend to the brood.

[jedimech]

Congrats on success on fries development, bro!!
Nice pair of apistos you have!!

[Samuel2618]

Bro Nicktc,

First of all.. Congrats to your successfully brood.. The fries will surely be as colorful as their parents.. Nice pair really.. Wanted to buy from you when you are going to sell that time but was cycling a tank at that time.. After tank cycled.. haha.. Your pair has spawned..

In the near future, I do want to own a pair too.. Read before that for Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Nigeria' pair, the male prefers hard water whereas the female prefers soft water.. therefore need water PH to be as near to 7 as possible to induce spawning.. Is it similar for your pair?

Regards

[nicktc]

My last PH check was about 5. I think the PH does not so much affect the spawning, but more so on the sex ratio of the offsprings.

[Samuel2618]

Got it..

Thanks.. Happy fish keeping.. Really nice pair you got there..

Regards
Samuel

[doppelbanddwarf]

Wow nicktc you seem to be having great success breeding fishes in this tank. Wouldn't the viejita make sorties on the fries?

Anyway bro jedimech, these are not apistos but rather West African dwarf cichlids.

[nicktc]

I had taken the viejita out.
Starve them for 2 days.
Put in a cube of frozen brine shrimp.
When they come out to feed, net them from the behind

[nicktc]

The fries are getting lesser
I think they are going to breed again.

Had removed the remaining few fries.

here's a pic of the female with a fry.


a recent pic of the pair in breeding dress again.