Blue Ram Eggs Again...Many ?'s

[Keeyahl]

My Columbian Male and German Female Blue Rams have laid eggs once again (the last time they laid eggs was on Christmas Eve, only 10 days ago or so). This time they laid it on a different part of the same slate rock and appears to be around 75 eggs or so. Last time I had a Flash Pleco and Neon Tetras in the tank at time of egg lay (Eggs gone next morning). This time the Flash Pleco and Neons have been removed to another tank...

How long can I expect until the eggs will hatch?

What do I do with waterchanges with eggs in tank? Anything different?

Should I remove the eggs from parents? (I prefer not to)

Should I put Java Moss near egg spot to ensure food for the babies after the eggs hatch (infurosia?)?

The tank is about 80 degrees right now, heavily planted 15g tank, nitrates below 5 ppm, pH around 7.4, water filtered through peat, blackwater extract used and driftwood in tank. The only other tankmates as of now with the Rams are 3 Otocinclus...

Any other advice on helping to ensure a good hatch or raising the fry?

Thanks!!!

Kyle

 

[aspen]

hi kyle. you were smart to remove that pleco. armoured fish are well protected against dwarf cichlids and they love eggs.

the first step has been done, the fish have laid. but whether they will hatch is dependant on how many were fertilised properly. this has to do with egg quality, male fertility and water hardness and temp. if the eggs are good, you will usually see a nice golden colour. after some hours (24 - 36?), a black dot (the actual fry) will appear in the middle of each egg. the golden part is the yolk, the fry's first food. this signifies a viable egg. it takes 3- 5 days for the eggs to start hatching. the parents will keep them fanned and pick out the dead eggs, and when the eggs start to hatch, to decapsulate the fry by mouthing them and spitting them out.

you need to watch for squables between the parents, and you should leave them alone. i leave the light off, and put a small light on nearby. i also put a bunch of stuff, rocks, plants etc in there to comfort the parents before they lay but i wouldn't change anything now. if the tank cover has any openings at all, cover them. if agression starts, one parent is going to lose the fight and may jump out.

i do small water changes every day with eggs or fry, this keeps the parents used to the invasion of their privacy. i'm careful though not to be too intrusive. but, it wouldn't hurt to put the java moss in.

let us know what percentage of the hatch is viable, and go from there. get ready to hatch some bbs. there's lots of really good info here on how that is done, do a search.

rick

 

[Keeyahl]

Almost all of the eggs have become darker, and I spotted one opaque eggs that was swiftly removed by the father. The parents are both taking equal time hovering above eggs are are fending off the Otocinclus extremely easily. Eggs are to the point where I can see the little fry inside now. Now it is just time to wait... Was curious if the Java moss near the eggs would be a ample food source for the fry (infurosia). I have previously spotted infurosia in my tank along the gravel/sand. (Kind of reminds me of Saltwater copepods)...

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[fishgeek]

you will need more food than what is naturally found in yuor moss

most fry losses come down to starvation or water quality because of over feeding

live foods have the advantage of not dying so quickly and moving to encourage young fry onto them , i use bbs or microworm
lots have been talking of feeding brine shrimp egg's decapsulated and not hatched
first bite by hikari have helped
frozen cyclops are nice and small

best of luck
sometimes it will take a few goes

 

[Keeyahl]

Well, day 3 now and eggs have changed color slightly. Now what was black looks almost like an eggsack of the baby and still see slightly curved dark bodies.... Eggs should hatch soon. Female was fighting with male ALOT so I removed the male to a tank suited for him in my basement...

Waiting....