proudmomoftwins

I just used a flash light to look inside the cave where the parrot fish stay.
There are eggs attached to the walls of the cave!! Some of the eggs are white, but there are a lot of eggs that are brownish black in color. What should I do now? I don't know exactly when the eggs were released. Are the brownish black ones still viable? The female parrot fish continues to rub her body along the eggs, is this normal behavior? Should I get a breeder box/net to put in the aquarium?

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to give the eggs a chance if they are still viable. I think I read that if the eggs are white, then they're not any good. A list of all my fish is in my profile. I don't want any fish feeding off the eggs or fry if there will be any.

Thanks!!!
Mae

Aldric

yayyyyyyy congrats on the eggs!!!!!

proudmomoftwins

Thanks Aldric, but what do I do now? If some of the eggs are viable, how long will it take for them to hatch?

I didn't think she released any eggs... I guess I didn't know the eggs would be attached to the inside the cave's wall. Right now the female doesn't even want the male in the cave for long periods of time... she keeps pushing him out and she's back o chasing all the other fish away.

Thanks!!

proudmomoftwins

PLEASE do not move my thread to the parrot fish DB. I am posting here, because this gets more traffic then the Parrot Cichlid board.

I just used a flash light to look inside the cave where the parrot fish stay.
There are eggs attached to the walls of the cave!! Some of the eggs are white, but there are a lot of eggs that are brownish black in color. What should I do now? I don't know exactly when the eggs were released. Are the brownish black ones still viable? The female parrot fish continues to rub her body along the eggs, is this normal behavior? Should I get a breeder box/net to put in the aquarium?

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to give the eggs a chance if they are still viable. I think I read that if the eggs are white, then they're not any good. A list of all my fish is in my profile. I don't want any fish feeding off the eggs or fry if there will be any.

Thanks!!!
Mae

And again, thank you for not moving this post, it's greatly appreciated.

Lucy

I've merged your threads and moved your question to the breeding forum where it belongs.
Please don't start another thread for the same topic.
Sometimes you have to be patient and wait for the right member who knows about breeding these fish to sign on.

I'll send out a couple of pm's, when those members sign on, perhap they can help.

Edit: A quick search on the forum brought up this article in the Feb. edition of FL magazine:

Blood Red Parrot Cichlid, a Hybrid Cichlid
and this thread:
Round 3

aquarist48

Good morning PM.
Everything is sounding normal. Once the eggs turn white the female will probably eat them. The ones that are still tan in color (or darker) are still viable. If this is the first batch that you've seen I would recommend letting mother nature take her course (but then that is up to you) . The parents will guard them "very" well. The female does all the work once the eggs are laid and Dad will guard the entrance to the cave. The eggs that my Bloody Parrots have laid usually all turn white within 5 days and are eaten by both parents.
The mother will fan the eggs and take care of them. She doesn't like the male to be in the cave much if at all. Below is a link you may find helpful.
Parrot Cichlid Breeding
Best wishes for some fry. Don't be surprised if your males are sterile. I read an article that stated in 2000 they were trying to get some males that weren't sterile. So the way I see it you have a 50/50 chance for fry.
Keep us posted
Ken