helping dorsigera parents to protect fry

[uberape]

After making the heinus mistake of allowing a community tank spawn, do you think that leaving a candle next to the pit will help the parents to protect the fry?

 

[uberape]

during the first hour after lights off

 

[Mike Wise]

I doubt it, but it depends on what fish are in the community with the dorsigera. Many schooling tetras are able to overwhelm the parent by speed and sheer numbers. They'll slowly pick off stray fry over a week or 2 until the fry are to big to eat. Armored catfish like corys and plecos will just barge in if they find something to eat. In your case, I would just accept what happens. If you want more than a few fry to survive, then the ideal method is to put them in a breeding tank with a few small, friendly, top-dwelling dither fish.