Author Topic: The Duchess - Female Aggassiz's Dwarf Cichlid guarding her eggs (Read 52081 times) 62 replies

Extreme_One · « **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2016, 01:14:53 PM »

I just looked into the coconut nest and saw that most of her eggs were gone. Then I noticed that they appear to have been repositioned and spread out along the top edge of the coconut and inside a couple of cutout recesses.

Has anyone heard of Apisto mothers moving their eggs?

(EDIT) I just found this:

Quote

The female plays a major part in caring for the offspring, which can number as high as 100. The eggs might be laid in a “cave” (e.g., an overturned flowerpot or a coconut shell); after about three days (depending on the temperature), the newly hatched larvae are moved by the mother to another location (i.e., another cave).

Hmmmm. I don't think these are 'wrigglers' as they are basically motionless. However, they do look a little different to the eggs, as they look a little rounder and somehow paler.

However, the breeding tank isn't lit and its not very easy to see exactly what's going on.

In other news I've just ordered a small airpump and some Brine shrimp eggs and salt to make my own hatchery.

Fiona · « **Reply #41 on:** January 27, 2016, 11:33:54 PM »

Oh well done Simon!!! I can't wait to see what happens

And I appreciate our Sue too, she's saved my bacon a time or two. Ta Sue

Extreme_One · « **Reply #42 on:** January 31, 2016, 12:22:45 PM »

Well she's been in the breeding tank for 9 days now and no sign of any fry.

I've moved the male in with her so hopefully in a few days she can try again.

In the meantime I've had some almond leaves and alder cones in there for about a month, they are both supposed to encourage minute organisms that the fry will eat.
I've been adding Liquifry every day and have my Brine shrimp hatchery producing loads of BBS.

The temperature is 76°F which is meant to be the optimum temperature to produce roughly equal numbers of male and female offspring.

I think I'm about as prepared as I can be.

Fingers crossed ...

Fiona · « **Reply #43 on:** January 31, 2016, 01:17:39 PM »

Good luck!

What will you do with the babies when you eventually get some?

Extreme_One · « **Reply #44 on:** January 31, 2016, 01:56:03 PM »

Quote from: Fiona O'Mahoney on January 31, 2016, 01:17:39 PM

Good luck!

What will you do with the babies when you eventually get some?

Thanks Fiona. My favourite LFS will buy them.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #45 on:** February 10, 2016, 06:17:31 PM »

She laid eggs this morning. It's funny how frequently she lays on a Wednesday!

I've removed him and put him in the main tank and will be watching her with crossed fingers over the coming days...

I've decided, if unsuccessful, this will be the last time I'll try and breed them, I'll simply let nature take it's course in future.

Sue · « **Reply #46 on:** February 10, 2016, 06:41:31 PM »

Fingers crossed for you. It is quite fascinating watching the female care for the fry.

Fiona · « **Reply #47 on:** February 12, 2016, 09:00:13 AM »

I look forward to some photographs )

Extreme_One · « **Reply #48 on:** February 16, 2016, 09:07:50 AM »

Wrigglers!

All the eggs had disappeared from the coconut nest on Sunday and I thought she might have eaten them.

Then yesterday we noticed that she was still very yellow so wondered if she might have moved the eggs.

This morning I found them. She has made a new nest beside a half flower pot and there are lots of little 'blobs' beside it and there is definite movement.

Time to set up my Brine shrimp hatchery!

Fiona · « **Reply #49 on:** February 16, 2016, 12:02:36 PM »

Ooooo how exciting. Congratulations

Sue · « **Reply #50 on:** February 16, 2016, 01:20:50 PM »

Wait till they become free swimming and she herds them round the tank. I was surprised with my cockatoo female - every evening after the tank light went out - room light still on - she took them all back inside the cave she laid the eggs in. We'll have to wait and see if agassizis show the same behaviour.
Don't be surprised if she appears to be eating the fry - fish don't have hands so sucking them up and spitting them out is the only way mum can get them where she wants them.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #51 on:** February 16, 2016, 09:25:27 PM »

I've had a pretty awful day really what with it being my mother-in-law's funeral, but I've been thinking about The Duchess and her brood and its been a blessing to have something to take my mind off things.

So the first thing I did when I arrived home was to check the breeding tank.

I was utterly amazed to discover she's moved them again!

I'm guessing there are between 30 and 40 'blobs' now nestled under the flower pot, and she's guarding them quite forcedly .

It's fascinating how she's chosen a completely different place from the one where she laid her eggs!

It makes me wonder if she'd done similar before, in the community tank, without me realising, but then what had happened to the fry?

We're all so excited!!!

We, being me, my wife Marina and my four kids all watching and waiting to see what happens next...

fcmf · « **Reply #52 on:** February 16, 2016, 09:53:36 PM »

Very sorry to hear of the really bad time you're having but glad that you're all trying to take your mind off things with the development of The Duchess' brood - I really hope, for all of you, that therein lies a happy ending ie some surviving fry which make it into childhood/adulthood.

Looking forward, in a mix of excitement/nervousness, to reading the next instalment...

Extreme_One · « **Reply #53 on:** February 18, 2016, 09:18:14 AM »

The last couple of days have been pretty tense as I keep thinking she's eaten the eggs.

It turns out she's having a game of hide-and-seek with me.

She has moved the clutch about three times but, because she doesn't stray too far away from them, she gives away their position eventually.

A quick recap:

Today is day 8 since she laid them.

Days 1 - 3 The eggs were attached, as usual, to the underside of her favourite coconut nest. The eggs are orangy coloured and small and oval shaped.

Day 4 - When we finally found the eggs, which had been moved beside the flowerpot, discovered that the eggs had changed, now look like browny 'blobs', much larger than when they were attached to the coconut, and they're showing occasional movement. We're assuming these must be 'wrigglers'

Days 5 - 8 Hide-and-seek! It seems every time I look into the tank now she's moved them. I haven't witnessed the move yet.

Until next time ... fingers crossed!

Sue · « **Reply #54 on:** February 18, 2016, 10:44:46 AM »

The eggs last 3 to 4 days and the wrigglers another 4 to 6 days. So they become free swimming fry anywhere between 7 and 10 days after the eggs were laid. You'll know when they are free swimming as you'll see these little brown things, well, swimming

. And the mother will round up any that get too adventurous.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #55 on:** February 19, 2016, 06:35:35 PM »

Day 9 I can see about 20, maybe more, baby Apistos swimming close to their mother, The Duchess.

They appear to be eating the baby brine shrimp.

I'm really pleased!

fcmf · « **Reply #56 on:** February 19, 2016, 07:43:12 PM »

Aw - brilliant news. This was the update I was hoping would appear today but, every time I checked, the website was down. Delighted to read this.

What size are each of the baby apistos?

Extreme_One · « **Reply #57 on:** February 19, 2016, 08:05:55 PM »

I reckon they're about 4mm, bigger than I expected actually.

I'm going to try and video them tomorrow. It's what grandparents do.

Sue · « **Reply #58 on:** February 19, 2016, 08:19:11 PM »

Well done! Or should that be well done Duchess

Extreme_One · « **Reply #59 on:** February 20, 2016, 11:08:29 AM »

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The Duchess - Female Aggassiz's Dwarf Cichlid Guarding Her Eggs

The Duchess - Female Aggassiz's Dwarf Cichlid Guarding Her Eggs

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