Bolivian rams

[nitro]

Hi im writing this quickly to just say after weeks of chasing they really got their act togther this weekend and rightnow the female has just layed the eggs on the slate and the male has been over them doing his thing.

I will keep you all updated.

Edit: Right now they are guarding them very closely and not letting the neons anywhere near. I wonder if i will get attacked when i have to take the BN cucumber out later...

 

[nitro]

How would i go about feeding the pair because i guess they wont come away from the eggs right or will they? should i sink some down to where they are guarding the eggs?

Thanks

 

[nitro]

Update if anyone cares.

The eggs are still there this morning and the female is guarding them pretty closely while the male is swimming around the tank.

Im not expecting great survival at all after what ive read until they have spawned at least a couple of times.

 

[Ben]

congrats!
must be exciting

feed them sinking foods, as you said.
but they might not take for a while if there is alot of danger in the tank

DD

 

[domino1804]

Hey congrat.
These rams are great I had two in my tank but think they were both male
Fingers crossed for you
Keep us updated

 

[nitro]

Thanks for the comments

It is exciting for me because its only the second time any of my fish have ever spawned.

I would guess there is only about 50 eggs.

I will update if anything happens.

 

[nitro]

Update.

Well its about 2.5 days since the eggs were laid and i can see tiny black dots in them today so hopefully they should be hatching soon.

I think the male ram has been digging out a pit under some wood where fry will be moved to perhaps.

The female ram is a very good parent IMO she doesnt let the male near the eggs at all and will chase him away even if he is on the other side of the tank lol. She has also chased away my female BN who is nearly twice as big.


You dont need to feed the fry before they become free swimming do you?

 

[Ben]

sounds like everything is going good in the spawn

the eggs should hatch in the next day or two

to answer your question:
you are correct. the fry will feed off their yolk sacs and then become free swimming
the parenst should still take care of them for a few weeks untill they're big enough.
when free swimming, feed baby brineshrimp, micro worms and crushed up flakes

good luck

DD

 

[nitro]

Thanks for the feeding info DD.

Update again: They are starting to hatch right now. Just hope they dont all get eaten before they become free swimming.

 

[nitro]

Update: Its been nearly a whole week since the eggs were laid. Its gone soo quick.

After they hatched the female kept digging pits and moving them all around. One day she had to quickly dig an emergancy pit because a malaysian trumpet snail was making its way into the nest.

Its been four days sinced they hatched so they should become free swimming soon. I brought some powered fry food yesterday as well. I will also do water changes every other day to keep the water quality under control.

I will try and get some pics when they become free swimming and post them here.

The only thing that concerns me is the females continous aggression towards the male. He is never allowed to come anywhere near the fry. This may be a problem when they start swimming. Hopefully the female will allow the male to help her out at that stage.

 

[fish_head]

do you kno the feeding habits of the hunchback bridle star snail because im worried about the state of my swahilian grain fish. i need someone to advise me on the precautions i should take to ensure the safety of my grain fish, does anyone know if it can sustain an attack of that calibre?

i thought i would post it ont here becasue you seem to know your stuff sama:

 

[nitro]

??


I have no idea what your on about.

 

[Ben]

??


I have no idea what your on about.

i was thinking the same thing

how are the fry Nitro?

DD

 

[nitro]

Its probably someone trying to wind me up.


The fry are good but still arent swimming yet.

 

[CTS]

do you kno the feeding habits of the hunchback bridle star snail because im worried about the state of my swahilian grain fish. i need someone to advise me on the precautions i should take to ensure the safety of my grain fish, does anyone know if it can sustain an attack of that calibre?

i thought i would post it ont here becasue you seem to know your stuff sama: