[stuckinthemiddle]

Im sure this has been asked many times before, so I apologize for being so redundant.

My friend at the LFS hooked me up with a holding red zebra tonight. This is my first experience with holding Africans. I want to keep as many of the fry as possible so should I isolate her (using a divider for my 55) or just let her be? Im worried about my other Mbuna picking at her not being able to defend herself.

Thanks all!

 

[DJRansome]

If she's new you could isolate her in the quarantine tank, the 3 weeks of quarantine will be just about right for her to be ready to spit.

 

[stuckinthemiddle]

I really dont have the luxury of another tank..wish i did. I went ahead and isolated her with a divider, but 3 eggs have already "fallen" out of her mouth. Will she scoop these back up or just leave them alone and they will hatch by themselves?

thanks again

 

[DJRansome]

If she is going to scoop them up, she would do it right away. They will not hatch on their own.

Best of luck with your Mom! If you don't have another tank, what will you do with the fry?

 

[stuckinthemiddle]

I left them in thier for a while and she did not scoop them back up. I siphoned them up and put them into a breeding net. So these will not hatch unless they are in the mothers mouth? Why is that? Im pretty sure they have already been fertilized as well.

I got a fry tank with about 100 fry in there now and will put the new fry(if they hatch) in there with the breeding net.

 

[DJRansome]

Eggs need to be tumbled, either in the mother's mouth or a tumbler. I think you would almost have to see her drop them and then put them in the tumbler immediately for them to remain viable. You could try putting an airstone under the net so they move slightly.

What color are they?