Balloon Rams newly hatched eggs

**Goththug** · 30th May 2011, 21:03

Hi all,

This is the 2nd time the pair has spawned, and this is the first time the fries reaches the free swimming stage.

Photo May 30, 9 06 28 PM.jpg

I know i should remove the parents when its almost a week old or other. However, they are in a community tank with cardinal tetras and a school of boraras urophthalmoides. It will be almost impossible to get all of them out without scaring the rams which might cause them to eat the fries.
And if i remove the parents, i'm worried that they'll end up as snacks for the tetras.

What can i do?

And also, how should i feed the fries?
Currently i believe they are small enough to have their stomachs filled with the infusoria from the mosses around them. Should i get liquidfry? or are there any recommendations other than BBS?

Here is the link to the video of the rams and their fries.

http://youtu.be/3DZX05om9BI

Hope to hear from the experts in this forum!
Thank you!

**Goththug** · 31st May 2011, 15:18

Anyone?
I'm worried that the parents and tetras might eat the fries, should i siphon out the fries into another small tank?

**stormhawk** · 1st Jun 2011, 11:56

The tetras and the Boraras will pick off any stragglers among the fry. You must siphon the fry out to a separate rearing tank as the parents will be prone to eating them when they feel threatened.

They can be raised on a diet of live BBS, Daphnia and Microworms for the early stages up till the point that they can handle worm foods or sinking pellets etc. Most cichlid fry are able to handle newly hatched brine shrimp right from the time they are free-swimming.

**Goththug** · 1st Jun 2011, 13:40

Originally Posted by stormhawk

The tetras and the Boraras will pick off any stragglers among the fry. You must siphon the fry out to a separate rearing tank as the parents will be prone to eating them when they feel threatened.

They can be raised on a diet of live BBS, Daphnia and Microworms for the early stages up till the point that they can handle worm foods or sinking pellets etc. Most cichlid fry are able to handle newly hatched brine shrimp right from the time they are free-swimming.

Thanks for the reply!

Currently i have left the fries in the tank, and fed them with egg yolk mixed with tank water. I have covered the front of the tank with a black vanguard sheet to prevent the parents from getting spooked.
I understand that the parents will leave the fries on their own after probably about 2 - 3 weeks, maybe i can siphon them out by then?
Will siphoning the fries out cause any injury to them?

**lab** · 1st Jun 2011, 20:51

I will suggest scooping out the fries with a plastic mug instead of siphoning out as the pressure might cause harm to the fries.

**Goththug** · 3rd Jun 2011, 09:57

Thanks all for your replies and advise. I believe the parents have eaten the fries and they are not guarding the "cave" anymore.
Shall place the parents in a separate tank and wait for spawning again!