Crap, the leaves moved and I can't see

[Diesel Fitter]

what the heck is going on inside the spawning pot. My female Viejita, who is yellow , but not really a brilliant shade of yellow, has entered one of the spawning pots in my heavily planted tank. My problem, is that I can't see what is going on inside the pot because of the oak leaves that I put there for their privacy. My question is this, how long does it take for typical couple to spawn? She is extremely reluctant to leave her pot and I have only seen her for the briefest of time, like seconds. Could they have spawned in just a couple of hours? Dave?

 

[Josh]

I don't know about A. viejita specifically but in my experience they absolutely could spawn within a couple hours. It's funny that they pulled the curtains on your viewing party though!

 

[Mike Wise]

Typically, apistos when ready go from initiation of courtship to spawning in 5 - 15 minutes. Be patient, don't disturb anything, wait a week, and then you'll know for sure.

 

[Diesel Fitter]

thanks guys, I really do appreciate all the information that is offered by you, and the Apisto community et al. Is it typical for a brooding female not to eat? She takes the blood worm but spits it back out after a second or two of mouthing it, she comes out of her pot for second or two then hustles back to her cave. Thanks again everybody, dave

 

[Mike Wise]

Females eat while brooding eggs. I don't know why your female isn't, unless there are so many other fish in the tank that she doesn't feel she can leave the eggs for even a few seconds. Otherwise she seems to be behaving like a typical female apisto with eggs.

 

[Diesel Fitter]

Well its all over for now, my female is now out and about, and doesn't return to her cave at all. I think that I am probably responsible for the loss due to installing an in the tank brine shrimp hatchery last night, maybe the pressure wave from the pump got to her. Anyway next time I'll wait until I see wigglers before starting my BBS hatchery. Dave