Two of my Firemouths (which I have only had for what...3-4 weeks?) have been hanging out under the big piece of driftwood on the left for a few days now...figured they were just establishing territories. After all, while one is 3", the other is barely 2", and they are new to the tank.
Well...they spawned and there are 50-100 fry being held together and guarded back there. It's actually really cool to watch, but also very unexpected. Not sure if I will grow them out yet...depends if I have something to do with them afterward I guess. If I leave them in there too long, the pictus will pick them off as soon as the parents become lax.
Using the driftwood for protection is also going to make it hard to get decent pics of them with my little P&S, but I'll see what I can do.
If only my Bolivian Rams would follow suit...starting to think that female is infertile.
Yeah, asking the various LFSs is Plan A. There's one I know will take them, but they are 45 minutes away. Hopefully one of the closer ones will also want some. It's mostly that I didn't expect them to pair off just yet...thought it would be a couple months.
Okay, pics. Sorry for the sketchy quality...my P&S + weird lighting + distance (back of the tank) + through glass + tannin-stained water makes things a bit difficult.
The babes:
Dad in front, Mom back with the kids:
Dad still in front, Mom behind:
Mom comes out for food:
The Third Wheel (the rejected third Firemouth). Looks odd here...just caught the pic at an odd moment as it swam against the current:
LoL I just love those Firemouths. Their eyes always look so sad... I had them before and they have great personality. thanks so much for sharing the video of the parents and the fry. How cool is that! Imagine... spawning and babies already. I love the photos of your firemouths.. those have some really nice markings on them... beautiful fish!
Congrats Shaina!
I have what i hope will become a pair in my 33G, they are around 1.5" long (excluding caudal fin), one more question , what is the easiest way to sex them?
Hope you find an LFS that will give you some money for them $$$
Thanks, MissMTS Watching them is endlessly fascinating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by platy ben
I have what i hope will become a pair in my 33G, they are around 1.5" long (excluding caudal fin), one more question , what is the easiest way to sex them?
Hope you find an LFS that will give you some money for them $$$
IMO there's no sure fire way to sex them when they are that little. Basically just get a bunch of juvies and cross your fingers. I was lucky to get a pair with only three, tbh...luckier still that the two nicer ones are the ones that paired up. The male has to be the prettiest FM I've seen...hard to capture his iridescence with my little P&S though.
Either an LFS will take them, or I will take them to one of the many fish auctions around here once they are of size. Either way, finding homes should not be a problem, especially if they turn out as nicely colored as the parents (who had great coloration even at the store when they were stressed and unpaired).
Shaina, I know that this is off topic, but what is the 2nd fish that you have in your signature. It looks like a dwarf acara species such as a curviceps, but I wanted to find out for sure. So beautiful!
Shaina, I know that this is off topic, but what is the 2nd fish that you have in your signature. It looks like a dwarf acara species such as a curviceps, but I wanted to find out for sure. So beautiful!
Not a problem That is my juvenile Green Terror Aequidens Rivulatus. He's only about 2.5-3" (standard) right now...was 2" tops when that picture was taken.
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I love the photos of your firemouths.. those have some really nice markings on them... beautiful fish!
Lucky You! 
