Dwarf Cichlids Spawned!

PlantedRich said:

I've not heard of a zebra acara before. Do you have any idea of the scientific name or if the zebra if a common local name in your area? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on the net about them. If they behave as most acara, I would let them do it for sure. As it is a first time for them, they may not get it right but assuming the conditions are right for them, they will be around again soon and do better the second time.

If you do want to save some fry, I find this method works for substrata egglayer. I let them tend and hatch the fry until they get past the wiggler stage and then use a plastic tube to siphon off a small number to raise. I do leave some for the pair as it seems to make the pair bond somewhat better and they are more reliable for the next time around. That would be assuming you don't have any nighttime scavengers like catfish in the tank.

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PlantedRich said:

Thanks for the names. Using them I did some looking around and found much more info. Funny thing is that my standby forum for fish profile info does not seem to list them and cichlids are their special realm! Just proves that one can't accept answers from a single source to be the correct answer. Looks like a very nice fish for people wanting to get into cichlids but using smaller type tanks. Likely not for the nano tank group but should work well for the 20-30 gallon tanks.

Whether cories will be a problem or not? Kind of iffey there. I might think they would be okay in that location. The adults will likely be near enough to keep the cories out but then for true safety, moving them would be more certain.

May I ask how you came into these? They seem pretty out of place with the water for my area. I'm looking for something not often seen and would try to swap you out of some!

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PlantedRich said:

AW! Bummer! I am a cichlid fan as I find they are a really hardy group. They also have ways of letting you know well in advance of actually dying. While lot of fish have their little habits, cichlids tend to have a real method that goes beyond many of the others. Lots of interesting things but it can get to be a problem if they are rearranging the substrate where you have plants. But then one thing about cichlids is that there is such a variety that there are all sorts to fit most situations. Finding real small ones that like hard water and are peaceful enough for smaller tanks can get you into some research though. I've been raising Labidochromis chisumulae and they have fit the bill for me but I'm done with them. Waiting for the buyer to show so I THINK they are sold.

Wish you luck with getting another spawn soon. Once they start cichlids are usually pretty quick to try again.

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PlantedRich said:

I got a small group at a cichlid aution and they seemed small so I put them in a 20 gallon where I was starting some plants in pots. Next thing I knew there was a holding female! I don't know that I ever get my fish to spawn. They pretty much do it all the time when I leave them alone!
The buyer has been here and bought out two entire tanks. Yippee!!!!

Now what do I put in them? Just water looks kind of weird!

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