A. Borellii fry

[Miika Warsell]

Err...the fry don't really show, they are under the vase handle, close to the glass. The mother is in the pic.

I just got 4 otos and a small loach today to help with algae, this was probably bad timing for the fry. She seems to protect them quite forcefully though.

I've only had aquarium for about two months. 25 gallon with borellii harem, plus 6 dwarf pencilfish. And the algae eaters.

Any advice how to proceed with the little ones?

 

[Miika Warsell]

update: the female seems to have moved the fry in her mouth inside the vase. Wise move since now there's only one exit to guard. She's in the vase, peeking out every now and then.

 

[regani]

The too include should be ok with the fry, the loach may pose a problem. If you want to maximise fry survival you will have to remove either the loach or, if another cycled tank is available, the fry. You may still get a few surviving fry in the current situation, though.
Best food for fry are small live foods such as freshly hatched brine shrimp or microworms. Over time you can add in other foods such as powdered flake to get them used to other types of food.