10 day old rams

[farm41]

woohoo!! My M. ramerezi are 10 days old now free swimming. I can already see the tiny little body shape and the ram shaped head. Got them in a 20L and I yanked mom and dad when they were wigglers. They are swimming the entire tank, at first free swimming stage they became spread out all through the tank. Now they are all schooled up and swimming about the tank.

I'm so excited.

 

[Neil]

Congrats Matt,
You are almost beyond the critical time. Usually if you get them past the first 2 weeks, you pretty much have it licked. Be careful with water changes. Don't use too much tap water for awhile yet.
Way to go on your success. I am sure there is more to come.
Neil

 

[farm41]

I'm still just using 100% RO, just what the were laid in, and only 12% change every day.

I think I will stay with the 100% RO for awhile, don't want to take any chances.

How long should I wait before I start working in some tap?

 

[Jeffery Doty]

Matt,

Congratulations! Such a great little cichlid, everyone should have them. I need to get a pair going myself.

Keep us posted.

Jeff
Oregon

 

[Neil]

How long should I wait before I start working in some tap?

You could start doing it now, but start with very small amounts and increase slowly. I would go above 10 to 20% until after a month or so. If you do a quarter tank water change with a quarter of it tap a couple times a week for the next few weeks, you should be OK. After about a month to 1.5, you can increase to 50% tap in 25-50% water changes.
Neil