[catita]

Hi
I have an african cichlid who's fry is in its mouth. Should remove it into a different tank or should I leave it with existing school of cichlids? :-?

 

[rgr4475]

Depends on you. Do you want to raise fry? If so, then remove her if you have the proper set up. If not leave her in there and likely the fry won't survive.

 

[catita]

Sorry, I'm new at this.
How would I set up new tank? Would I have to wait a whole cycle?

By removing the mother while shes holding the fry, will the move into the new tank put too much stress on her?

thanks

 

[DJRansome]

This is the ideal. Fish hold an average of 28 days and may spit as early as day 18.

On the day you notice her holding, start the filter for the fry tank on the main tank and leave the mom in the tank as long as she is not being harassed.

Two weeks later after beneficial bacteria has had a chance to grow on the new filter, set up the fry tank and move mom and filter in.

By two weeks if she spits the fry will probably survive and may even be mostly mature.

A fry tank is just like an adult tank except you add a filter intake guard (sponge) to prevent sucking up the fry.