Krib eggs

[jflowers]

Hi

Tonight when I came home from work I could not see my two kribs in the tank. Looked everywhere, about an hour later I was getting ready to take everything out so I could find the dead bodies when I saw the males head poke out from a very large sea shell I have in there (none of my fish have shown an interest in it before). Yay! not dead. Anyway he has been guarding the shell entrance for the last few hours and I have just seen the female poke her head out (feeding time) but shes gone again now.

Think they are looking after eggs? I thought so as they were acting like the convicts I used to keep.

Never bred kribs before so any advice welcome.

Jon

 

[Mamaschild]

Sounds like they are either spawning, or have just spawned. Congrats

How long have you had them? Are they full grown? If this is their first spawn, it may not survive. It can take then 4-6 times or so to get it right. It's a learned thing If this one does work, theywill hatch in 3-5 days, then take another 3-5 days to get to free-swim stage. "Normally" that's when you will first see them...when the parents bring them out of the cave. However, I and others have had them bring the wigglers out the day they hatch and transfer them around by mouth.

Keep posting your observations and I can try to help you as to what stage your in???

 

[jflowers]

Thanks, I will post as things happen. My only experience with breeding has been with convicts, which was a doddle, could not stop the randy devils.

Been watching the tank for a few hours now and the male patrols the tank for a few mins looking here and there. While he is doing this the female pokes her head from the shell. Once he has done his rounds, the male goes back into the shell and sits there.

The male is about three inches and the female around two and a half inches (breeding size I think?) and I only got them two weeks ago. I purchased 3, 2 females and one male but one female died on the second day, dunno why, no injuries or marks and water is, and has been perfect for ages. I have had a couple of fish die after purchase, can only put it down to stress of moving though.

Jon

 

[Mamaschild]

That sounds about right Mom will do most of the caring for the fry until they hatch, then they pretty much share responsibility. Dad will do just what he's doing, patrol and guard...mom will mostly stay in or very near the cave.

Your welcome to click the "WWW" below my post and check out the Kribensis album. I tried to give the pics titles that would be helpful, like how old, male or female, stuff like that. Maybe they can give you some info I'm not remembering right now

 

[jflowers]

Thanks mamaschild. I looked through those earlier when I thought I had a 'situation' on my hands (as I searched the forum and it kept giving links to your posts and your pics). Lovely pics and very cool, look forward to seeing that in a week or so in my tank.

Jon

 

[jflowers]

Ok day two.

The adults are acting the same as yesterday apart from the male and female comming out at feeding time. The female went right bact into the shell after gulping a few bloodworm and brine shrimp, the male followed shortly after. He is currently half in half out of the shell and chasing anything that comes near, Even keyholes twice his size.

Jon

 

[jflowers]

Day three.

Looks like the kribs have given up! they are not gaurding the shell as much though now and again they check it out and chase off other fish. You think there are still eggs in there? At feeding time both kribs seemed more interested in food while yesterday they seemed more interested in eggs.

If they had eggs I expected the male and female to take turns looking after them but have seen them both out at feeding time, is this ok?

Jon

 

[Mamaschild]

Don't be suprised if they did give up.....remember what I said above

"If this is their first spawn, it may not survive. It can take then 4-6 times or so to get it right. It's a learned thing "

Give them a couple weeks and they should spawn again for ya

 

[jflowers]

Thanks Mamaschild. They are still guarding the shell, just seem to be out and about more. Think my keyholes are getting a place prepared now hehe.

What is that fish in your avatar? very cool fish. [EDIT just noticed in another post that its an Apisto Cacatuoides, will have to look out for those when I get my next tank in december (21 days and counting)]

Jon