Bolivian Rams fry!

[pepetj]

I keep six young Bolivian Rams young adults in a Perfecto 30Breeder tank. I use pressurized CO2 in this tank but turned it off since I found the fry.

I'm feeding with Hikari First Bites.

Water parameters ranges are pH 6.3-6.5; 2dGH; 0.5-1.0dKK, 120-165TDS.

Besides increasing aeration, what should I expect from them as parents? So far they are guarding their fry, which revolves around mom most of the time while dad chases everyone out of their shelter, inside a large size hollow driftwood like decor.

I am raising a few juveniles of Apistogramma baenschi in that tank (one of the parents died of unknown reasons but not due to aggression; I couldn't sex them since they were still quite young and quite monomorphic at the time).

I keep a school of 40 Cardinal Tetras (of which several females are actually carrying), and a solo young male Pla Kat Betta (quite peaceful by the way).

The tank has around 2" depth substrate of (black) Eco-Complete 70:30 Natural (Jimenoa) River Sand. Plants include a Native Sword species; Anubias barteri, Cryptocoryne species, and some loose, floating stems of Tropical Hornwort.



Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[Mike Wise]

Usually Bolivian Rams are good parents. I expect that you will lose a fair number of fry to the Cardinals until the fry grow to large to eat. Cardinals are good at catching stray fry. At least you have both parents are there to protect the brood.

 

[pepetj]

UI expect that you will lose a fair number of fry to the Cardinals until the fry grow to large to eat. Cardinals are good at catching stray fry.

So in order to increase the survival chances of them, relocating the Cardinals should help. Should I consider keeping the other fish as safe for the fry?

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[Mike Wise]

I guess it depends on what you want the aquarium to be - a community tank or a breeding tank. If it is a community tank, then keep it as it is now. Obviously everyone in it is happy. You may only get a few fry to survive, but this is the same as in Nature. If you want to breed large numbers of fry, then remove the cardinals, feed well and do many water changes. The Betta should be OK. It is more oriented toward the top of the tank and makes a good dither fish.