I have Green Terror Fry!!!

[missyintx_99]

I can't believe it, but I've seen it so I have to. I have a 2.5" male and 2" female green terrors and they have 200-300 free swimming fry! I purchased them about 3 months ago, one from my LFS another from a chain hoping that I could get a female for my 5" male. Well, all I can say is my bigger male won't be getting a girlfriend any time soon! I didn't even know they had laid eggs!
Last week, the larger (which I now know is male) GT and my 3" Lutino Oscar started lip locking and I didn't want either to get hurt so I moved the O, thank goodness I moved the O and not the GT! I had just chalked it up to typical cichlid behaviour, after all, they are all juvies and growing so territorial squabbles are bound to surface now and then. Brother was I wrong and I've never been so happy about it!
So, now for some questions
Since they are free swimming fry, do I need to feed them? Something special? I have some frozen baby brine shrimp that I had picked up for my angelfish fry (which, btw I have 2 fry that look like extremely miniature angels and the adults have eggs right now)Should I try feeding that to the GT's fry?

How often do GT's lay eggs? What is the average size of their broods?
I think my GT's must be extreme over achievers! I never would have thought at their small size that they would breed. And for a first time to have so many fry!

Well, its just so exciting! I had to share the news and ask for some advice. I've got some pics of them I took last night. I'll post them in the photo section!

 

[EX-AmP]

congrats, i think i know you from AT B). they usually have around 50-300 fry. interesting how your female could lay so many eggs. if you go to a lfs or lps you can find this food for fry called liquifry. brineshrimp will work too but i have never used it. i also crush up small flakes until they are powder. not sure about how often they lay eggs though.

 

[missyintx_99]

Thanks! Of all the boards I've asked on, your the only one who's tried to answer any of my questions! And yes, I'm on AT also! Great board.

I am amazed they spawned at all. I truely never expected this at their size. Everything I've read says 4-5" to reach sexual maturity. And there is at least 200 fry in there. If she's doing this many at 2", I almost dread what she'll be capable of at 5"+.
I've read of some folks feeding other types of fry egg yolk. Is this something I should consider?
And what about culling? How does one cull something so tiny? I've got an empty 10g that I could transfer some in to. At what points should I do this?

I feel like a first time parent here. My Angels have laid eggs 5 times and so far I've got 2 fry out of them. So this new development with my GT's throws it into a whole new league for me. I really do appreciate any advice!

 

[EX-AmP]

take the 10 gal and get it set up. use at least 3/4 of the water from the regular tank and the rest can be regular. i take fry out when they are freeswimming, but i have done that many times. if you would like to try this, then just use ur gravel vaccum to do so. if its not working you can use a net as long as youre gentle and can quicky transfer them. did you say you want the mother to have more eggs by feeding yolk? also, is AT back up?

 

[missyintx_99]

take the 10 gal and get it set up. use at least 3/4 of the water from the regular tank and the rest can be regular. i take fry out when they are freeswimming, but i have done that many times. if you would like to try this, then just use ur gravel vaccum to do so. if its not working you can use a net as long as youre gentle and can quicky transfer them. did you say you want the mother to have more eggs by feeding yolk? also, is AT back up?

Well, the 10 is up and running right now. I could do a water cahnge and use some of the 20g water to fill it back up.

Re the egg yolk. I haven't ever read that feeding egg yolk would increase how often they lay eggs. I was asking if you know anything about feeding it to the fry. I've read that some folks feed fry egg yolk to help stimulate growth. I wish I could remember specifically what kind of fish they were but I honestly don't remember.

Yep, AT is back up. I'll pm you the link.

 

[EX-AmP]

egg yolk was for bettas. cool okay