Taking male out with fry?

[nicos apistos]

Hi,
I have free-swimming fry from my Ap. Uaupesi and I was wondering if I should leave the male in the tank, or take him out? I have bred other apistos and had about 20-50 free-swimmers, but after about two to four months, i came out with about 5-10 fry. I am feeding vinegar eels, walterworms, and microworms. Ph 6.0-6.3. Please help.

Thanks,
Nico

 

[Mike Wise]

If the female/fry are not being bothered by the male, then I see no reason to remove him. Slow attrition of fry is more typically due to inadequate water quality and food. In your case, you seem to be feeding a lot of rather fatty foods (worms) that are not really nutritionally balanced. I suggest using baby brine shrimp as the staple (with worms as a supplement) for the first month and then adding other foods to the mix.