Just got GBR eggs!

pbh · 07-10-2011, 11:19 AM

I have raised several batches of GBR. I have yet to have a pair raise the fry themselves.

Just before the fry are ready to hatch, I remove them from the parents and put them in a 10 gallon aquaium half full of water with a sponge filter. I feed them infusoria after the wiggler stage for about a week then start with live brine shrimp. When they are feeding well on the shrimp, I raise water level in the tank. I make frequent 25% water changes at this point. After a few weeks I move them to a larger grow out tank.

I use RO water that I reconstitute to a DH of about 3 and KH of about 2. I have found that they really arn't that demanding of the PH as long as it is within reason. Mine runs 7 - 7.4.

I have read a few reports on the internet of GBR raising the fry, but most successful reports are of removing the fry from the parents.

WonderKeeper · 07-10-2011, 12:50 PM

Congratulations,, good luck with them. They are beautiful fishes.

gene4christ · 07-10-2011, 01:43 PM

I have found that the pink patch in the belly region of the female is the most reliable marker of the female and the tall spine of the male is almost always a constant marker for the male as well . Works for me anyway

The GBR's is one of my favorite also congrats on the brood very fun indeed!

**Higher Thinking** · 08-04-2011, 01:58 PM

Well today is the third day of the parents and their school of fry. They certainly have been getting better with every batch. This is their fifth batch (one I gave to a friend because I was leaving on vacation) and they have been lost previously for various reasons, including rehousing the whole crew into a larger tank.

Anyway, this is their progress. It's so awesome watching them interact because each night the parents gather all the babies and tuck them into a tight ball in the substrate which they dig out and put them to bed. They even made them take a nap yesterday afternoon as they did the same thing they do at night, in the middle of the day. Obviously, I don't really know if it has anything to do with sleeping, but probably a defense against predation, but it's fun regardless. Here they are yesterday.

binders · 08-04-2011, 04:29 PM

What fun!

Bahugo · 08-04-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higher Thinking

Well today is the third day of the parents and their school of fry. They certainly have been getting better with every batch. This is their fifth batch (one I gave to a friend because I was leaving on vacation) and they have been lost previously for various reasons, including rehousing the whole crew into a larger tank.

Anyway, this is their progress. It's so awesome watching them interact because each night the parents gather all the babies and tuck them into a tight ball in the substrate which they dig out and put them to bed. They even made them take a nap yesterday afternoon as they did the same thing they do at night, in the middle of the day. Obviously, I don't really know if it has anything to do with sleeping, but probably a defense against predation, but it's fun regardless. Here they are yesterday.

Grats on having free swimmers, I would recommend lowering the temp a few degrees if possible so the parents won't attempt to spawn again (mine would never spawn under 82 degrees). From my understanding after a certain point the parents will generally eat the fry so they can spawn again. Every time mine would lay eggs they would eat them so I gave up after a point. I think I had wrigglers once. The other thing I heard was people using a baster to suck up the swimmers too separate them from the adults to raise in a seperate tank and keep them out of eating way of the parents. The only time I have heard of GBR's raise eggs to juvenile stage is if you have wild caught ones. Best of luck!!!! You made it alot farther then me!

It was so frustrating watching them eat their eggs like 9 times in a row they just went back in the community tank.

**Higher Thinking** · 08-04-2011, 10:54 PM

Man, I totally jinxed myself. After three days of healthy fry swimming around with the parents I came home to no fry left in the tank. I can't help but think I may have something to do with it in that I only had first bites to feed the fry, which it looked like they were eating. I also have a good portion of java mass in there so I was hoping that would provide some infusoria. Now I'm contemplating whether or not to allow them to raise them again or intervene. After all, they are making more and more progress each time.

shrimpNewbie · 08-05-2011, 01:10 AM

grab yourself some microworms and other micro foods =]
I love the picture of the last batch, i want some!

**Higher Thinking** · 06-10-2012, 10:43 PM

Here's an old thread of mine. Might be a little useful:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fi...-gbr-eggs.html

Msoar16 · 06-12-2012, 04:06 AM

IMO live food is not necessay at all. I used it my first few batches and got tired of uptake so I tried first bites and have not looked back.

Msoar16 · 06-12-2012, 04:08 AM

3 of my 6 female breeders also have the extended 2nd dorsal spine so use body shape to sex.

shrimpNewbie · 06-12-2012, 04:14 AM

From my experience with cichlids although 4 times the size mine always cared for their young till they could stand their own and ventured off, hopefully it is the same for little guys like gbrs good luck!!!

shrimpNewbie · 06-12-2012, 04:18 AM

Ah I remember this thread now lol, did you ever get grow outs?

07-10-2011, 01:43 PM	#18
gene4christ Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 238	I have found that the pink patch in the belly region of the female is the most reliable marker of the female and the tall spine of the male is almost always a constant marker for the male as well . Works for me anyway The GBR's is one of my favorite also congrats on the brood very fun indeed! __________________ Gene4Christ :^) Planted 30gal. #1 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pi...pictureid=7869 #2 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pi...pictureid=6988 New90gal http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pi...ictureid=18914

08-04-2011, 01:58 PM	#19
Higher Thinking So good my algae pearls! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oregon State Beavers! Posts: 1,220	Well today is the third day of the parents and their school of fry. They certainly have been getting better with every batch. This is their fifth batch (one I gave to a friend because I was leaving on vacation) and they have been lost previously for various reasons, including rehousing the whole crew into a larger tank. Anyway, this is their progress. It's so awesome watching them interact because each night the parents gather all the babies and tuck them into a tight ball in the substrate which they dig out and put them to bed. They even made them take a nap yesterday afternoon as they did the same thing they do at night, in the middle of the day. Obviously, I don't really know if it has anything to do with sleeping, but probably a defense against predation, but it's fun regardless. Here they are yesterday. Attached Thumbnails

06-12-2012, 04:14 AM	#27
shrimpNewbie Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: california, orange county Posts: 1,838	From my experience with cichlids although 4 times the size mine always cared for their young till they could stand their own and ventured off, hopefully it is the same for little guys like gbrs good luck!!! __________________ 25 Gallon Brazillian jungle cube

06-12-2012, 04:18 AM	#28
shrimpNewbie Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: california, orange county Posts: 1,838	Ah I remember this thread now lol, did you ever get grow outs? __________________ 25 Gallon Brazillian jungle cube

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07-10-2011, 11:19 AM	#16
pbh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MN Posts: 16	I have raised several batches of GBR. I have yet to have a pair raise the fry themselves. Just before the fry are ready to hatch, I remove them from the parents and put them in a 10 gallon aquaium half full of water with a sponge filter. I feed them infusoria after the wiggler stage for about a week then start with live brine shrimp. When they are feeding well on the shrimp, I raise water level in the tank. I make frequent 25% water changes at this point. After a few weeks I move them to a larger grow out tank. I use RO water that I reconstitute to a DH of about 3 and KH of about 2. I have found that they really arn't that demanding of the PH as long as it is within reason. Mine runs 7 - 7.4. I have read a few reports on the internet of GBR raising the fry, but most successful reports are of removing the fry from the parents.

07-10-2011, 12:50 PM	#17
WonderKeeper Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: CA Posts: 21	Congratulations,, good luck with them. They are beautiful fishes.

08-04-2011, 04:29 PM	#20
binders Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 178	What fun!

08-04-2011, 10:54 PM	#22
Higher Thinking So good my algae pearls! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oregon State Beavers! Posts: 1,220	Man, I totally jinxed myself. After three days of healthy fry swimming around with the parents I came home to no fry left in the tank. I can't help but think I may have something to do with it in that I only had first bites to feed the fry, which it looked like they were eating. I also have a good portion of java mass in there so I was hoping that would provide some infusoria. Now I'm contemplating whether or not to allow them to raise them again or intervene. After all, they are making more and more progress each time.

08-05-2011, 01:10 AM	#23
shrimpNewbie Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: california, orange county Posts: 1,838	grab yourself some microworms and other micro foods =] I love the picture of the last batch, i want some!

06-10-2012, 10:43 PM	#24
Higher Thinking So good my algae pearls! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Oregon State Beavers! Posts: 1,220	Here's an old thread of mine. Might be a little useful: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fi...-gbr-eggs.html

06-12-2012, 04:06 AM	#25
Msoar16 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 123	IMO live food is not necessay at all. I used it my first few batches and got tired of uptake so I tried first bites and have not looked back.

06-12-2012, 04:08 AM	#26
Msoar16 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 123	3 of my 6 female breeders also have the extended 2nd dorsal spine so use body shape to sex.