honeybunny

Hey guys,

I have a kennyi who is holding for about two days. This is my first time with breeding. I read some articles about holding but I would like to make sure I get everything correct. I have a ten gallon tank which is unused right now which I would like to use as a nursery. I have a power filter from when I purchased my 55gallon tank but never used it because I upgraded to a canister filter. Can I use the power filter? Will it be too strong? If it is, should I get another filter? I read somewhere that I can use a sponge filter. What do you think about that? If I finally decide on a filter and begin to start the tank for the isolation process, what should I do? should I use the water from the 55 gallon tank? I guess when it comes to the media for the cycling, it depends on the filter I end up using, right? Sorry for all the questions but I don't want anything to happen to the mom because she is one of my favorite cichlid and plus I am very excited about her having babies. Thanks a million in advance.

Allie

You can use that filter for the tank. I would use the water from the main tank too. They need lots of water flow so they can be strong swimmers.
They hold for 21 days or more...since you are new to them. I would wait until the last week to put her in the 10g to spit...but keep a close eye on her around the 18th day on...she may spit early and eat the babies...sometimes but not often they will mother the fry for a week. I have yet to see this myself.

No offense but eventually you are going to have major aggression problems with all of those species in your tank, especially in that sized tank.
1 species type per tank and I see you have 3 Metriaclima species and 2 Melanochromis species who all very aggressive when mature. You are going to have to change up fish eventually. 1 male to 3-5 females for most of the species you have there. You are going to have major problems with your fish until you figure out which species you like best.
http://cichlidforum.com/articles/compatibility.php

honeybunny

On Wednesday, August 20, I isolated my fish into a 5 gallon nursery with one sponge filter, tipped over coffee mug, a small stone in front of the mug, and a small plant. The mommy at first was horrified. I guess she was scared of the new environment. The next morning she calmed down alot. But today Friday, Aug. 22, I noticed her mouth is still closed but it is much smaller than when she was in the community tank. She ocassionally would do a "turning the egg" motion and she is still not eating but is she still holding? She is also very shy. When my husband and I walk by she used to swim towards us but now that she is in the smaller nursery she hides inside the mug most of the time with her head sticking out. Is there something wrong? I really hope she is still holding but her throat looks really small, almost like normal but she is still not eating. Please give me some hope that she is still holding. On another note, I noticed my community tank fish all of which are about 3 inches long now but when I introduce fish of the same size they seem to really hate them and they kill them. If I introduce smaller fish they seem okay. If my mommy fish is or is not holding and when it is time to re-introduce her into my community will they kill her? What should I do? Sorry for the long and wordy message but I really need help. Thanks a million.
-Honeybunny

steveangela1

One thing you might want to keep in mind about the first batch is you might loose the whole first batch to being ate or swallowed by the mother.
My mother kenyi ate all but two of the first batch and that was w/ me in the next room and the tank in the corner of my eye, I saw her making a mad dash at something, and saved 2 out of the first batch. That was on the 18th day like Allie said.