apistogramma cacatuoides eggs

[onymousx]

Ok so I guess my apistogramma cacatuoides had eggs under one of the terra cotta pots I put in the tank. Everything seemed fine and I was so very excited to have accomplished this. It was about 5 p.m. today I noticed the mother guarding her eggs and the male hovering around the area. She is a bit smaller than him and unable to really fend him off, but she was trying to. Nonetheless I wanted to let nature take it's course and I left everything alone. Just now at about 10 p.m. as the fish are feeding on the algae tablets (for the pleco! haha) I noticed the female was out of the cave and the male was in there eating away at the eggs. Man he didn't take long to eat all of those eggs, and I just don't know if I should have done something different.

From what I understand, there will be more spawns in the coming days and more eggs will come, correct? I'd like to get some babies from this pair and not just let them all get eaten by the male. Anyone want to give me some good advice here? Thanks so much!

 

[onymousx]

Ok so upon researching this whole process I found that it is not possible for the eggs to hatch in hard water with a ph above 7.5 ... My ph is 8.0 and my well water is harder than normal. So alas, woe is me. Maybe one day I will have the money for r.o. water. It was cool seeing eggs though!

 

[onymousx]

Ok I have a few questions. If the eggs are white (not red) does that mean they are not going to hatch? Does anyone know how long it takes for them to spawn again? Lastly, I heard that the first couple times when eggs are spawned the male will usually eat the eggs and by the third or fourth time this stops. Can anyone confirm or inform? Thanks very much.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
The eggs may still be viable even when they are white (they are apparently usually pink and placed on the ceiling of the cave, but I have never looked in any of my caves). I wouldn't worry too much about the pH, A. cacatuoides comes from the Upper Amazon region, in the foothills of the Andes, where the water can have a pH above pH7 and be moderately hard.
Can you use rainwater to cut your tap-water with?

A tighter cave might help, the male doesn't physically need to enter the cave to fertilise the eggs, and the female will often use sand to make the entrance as small as possible. I use 1/2 coconuts or small clay plant saucers with a small notch cut in the rim.

They may need a few goes to get going, if the eggs are infertile the mother will eat them, and sometimes if she only has a small number of fry, she will eat them as well.

Have a look at Apistobob's web pages as well, Bob is a member and they are full of good advice.
<http://www.dwarfcichlid.com/Aquarium_care.php>

cheers Darrel

 

[onymousx]

Thank so much for the fast, informative response. I am excited to try these methods out. I will make caves with a smaller entrance. I will update you all on how things are going as well.