Need Advice Regarding Separating Juvies and Adults after Next Spawn

[OzDreamer]

I moved my pair of A. cacatuoides from a 75 gallon planted community tank about 6 weeks ago, because the spawns were being consumed by the other fishes. So, right after the fry hatched, I set up a 20 gallon high planted tank and moved the female and fry in the spawning cave, then moved the male by net. I only witnessed about a dozen surviving juveniles from this spawn until the pair spawned again. Shortly after that spawn the juvies seemed to disappear. As it turns out, there are still 3 surviving from that spawn. Anyway, the female did a wonderful job of raising over 50 fry from this last spawn, and the floor of the 20 gallon tank is covered with 1/4" juveniles. When the female catches sight of the 3 older juvies, she chases them away. So, this evening I see that the parents have spawned again, and the bottom and sides of the cave are covered in eggs. I cannot see the top, but I would guess that if the sides and bottom have eggs, that the top must be covered. So, here is my dilemma. Do I set up another tank, then move the adults and the spawning cave to that tank or just leave everyone put? My concern isn't about the next 50+ fry that are about to hatch. It's the 50+ juveniles that will soon look more like foe than friend that have my concern.

Any advice? This is my first experience with spawning dwarf cichlids. My angels have always favored the old broods over the new broods by letting the older juveniles eat the newly laid eggs. This doesn't appear to be the case with the dwarf cichlids.

Thank you,
Christopher

 

[gerald]

You could move just the mother and cave with eggs to a new tank, and leave dad with the older kids (until you've gotten rid of this batch and have space to raise more). Best way to do that with least disturbance is to get a bowl or container that you can slip under the cave while she's inside, lift it out full of water and set it down in the new tank.

That's odd about your angels. Nearly all cichlids give care preference to the newest batch of kids and chase away their older ones, except for some Tanganyikan species in which the older kids dont bother their younger siblings.

 

[OzDreamer]

Thank you, gerald. I was afraid I'd have to set up a new tank to move the new spawn. Moving the cave is easy. It is water tight, so I just turn it on end with the mother inside and cover the end as I carry it to a new tank. So, a new set up it is.

Christopher