raff

Hi everyone,

Well I've had a few interesting days with my fish. Firstly, my pair of jewels laid eggs and tended to them. At this point, I knew I had to move all my other fish out of the tank, which I did as soon as I could. Over the next couple of days eggs started to disappear, so I thought they were eating all the unfertilised eggs. A couple days later, they were all gone. I just thought that they weren't very successful this time.

Anyway, next thing I know, the male jewel is beating up the female. I immediately moved the jewel too, and left the male on his own. Yesterday, I noticed something moving at the bottom of the tank. Around 20 jewel fry were moving around the substrate. I thought this would be a good time to move the female back. WRONG. The male ended up killing her, and stay with his fry.

My question is, if I were to introduce some new jewels to the tank, hoping to find another female for my male, when would be the best time to do this. I have no intentions of moving the fry, as I have no room. So should I just leave the jewels as is until the fry are large enough to move, or would I be ok in finding a tankmate?

Thanks, and sorry about the longish read.

SWilkins

Sorry you lost your female. Cichlids do get overly protective sometimes especially when it comes to their babies. I think you would be better off right now leaving them as is especially since you don't intend to move the fry. The male would probably kill anything you put in there right now. Once you start looking for homes you could probably get another tank mate for the male that you have.

Welcome to Fish Lore if I have not already welcomed you!!!

raff

Thanks for the info, I just wanted to be sure before I go and do anything. I knew cichlids were protective, but I never really expected the male to kill the female.

Hopefully, the fry can survive.