I Have Wigglers Now Fry! Again Ram Cichlid

jmaldo

jmaldo

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Hey,
Everyone Got Wigglers around 25? At the job right now. Hopefully some pics tomorrow (try new macro lens).
 

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  • #3
Hey,
Everyone Got Wigglers around 25? At the job right now. Hopefully some pics tomorrow (try new macro lens).
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Well, I tried but no go. Can see them very well under magnification . But the pics are just blurry. Will try again tomorrow.
 
I had to break out my dslr with a fast lens to capture my cories. Fish are not easy to take pics of with camera phones.
 
That is good news! Did they eat some eggs? That may be a stupid question because I really don't know how many eggs B-rams lay compared to the little rams.

And I don't seem to be getting notifications to this thread now and then
 
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  • #6
That is good news! Did they eat some eggs? That may be a stupid question because I really don't know how many eggs B-rams lay compared to the little rams.
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Not sure. They moved them again overnight. Appears to around 50 eggs or so with around 25 or so Wigglers. Really tough to see with my old I mean tired eyes.
 

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Not sure. They moved them again overnight. Appears to around 50 eggs or so with around 25 or so Wigglers. Really tough to see with my old I mean tired eyes.
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Odd they would move eggs so frequently. You haven't had them too long so maybe they will get more comfortable with the tank over time. Security would be the only reason I can imagine they would move eggs. In any event you have wigglers and it sound's like progress to me.
 
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  • #8
It does not make sense they are alone in the tank. I have looked at quite a few vids. It is interesting how they suck them up then move to another spot and spit them out. Learning all the time.
 
It does not make sense they are alone in the tank. I have looked at quite a few vids. It is interesting how they suck them up then move to another spot and spit them out. Learning all the time.
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Bolivians do seem to move their fry around a lot from pit to pit I've seen german blue rams also do the same its neat
 

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Actually I was trying recently to suck up some Bolivian Ram wigglers via a siphon hose and the male quickly grabbed them all in his mouth before I could get to them lol so I had to try again after they relocated them
 
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  • #13
Update - Got Swimmers !!! Went from really no change wigglers for 2 days to swimmers. Got some pics (blurry?) (pardon the dirty glass just do not want to disturb them) Now what? I have egg yolk, fresh baby brine shrimp or frozen baby brine shrimp ready to go? ImperialJoe OnTheFly

BR Swimmers.jpg
BR swimmers 1.jpg
BR swimmers close.jpg
BR swimmers close 2.jpg
BR swimmers close 3.jpg

 
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  • #15
Ok, gave them a shot of fresh baby brine shrimp. We'll see how it goes. Some our venturing out to all areas of the tank, most are swimming around in the crater. I have watched them swim from crater to crater (they dug up about 4 or 5). It appears they are about 50+ now and in good shape and under close monitoring by Mom and Dad. Off to the job. Will update tomorrow.
 
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  • #19
Just an Update. All is well. It appears now I have closer to 100 swimmers. More and more are venturing away from the parents. Feeding them a mixture of Live BBS and egg yolk. Did a 3 gal water change today. Also picked up the fry food from my LFS (his recipe). Good Guy. I will review his store in the other section. Still on the fence should I move the parents or not. Just keeping a close eye for now. Have another tank for the parents. Disappointed can not share a pic still to small.

Swimmers still swimming exploring more of the tank. I know "Patience"
Here is a pic of the parents.

Bolivian Ram Pair.jpg
 
Hey that's really good that the parents are still taking care of them though!
 
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  • #21
I contacted the breeder and he said he always moved the wigglers to a breeding box. I think I will just let them be until I see some disappear then move the parents. I am trying to get a video just have to learn the in-outs of loading it to youtube.
 

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I suggest caution. Once the other fish start eating the fry a feeding frenzy can develop and you can lose all the fry in a single night. May I suggest taking 10 or so out and put them in a 10 gallon. Just in case you run into that issue.
 
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  • #24
I suggest caution. Once the other fish start eating the fry a feeding frenzy can develop and you can lose all the fry in a single night. May I suggest taking 10 or so out and put them in a 10 gallon. Just in case you run into that issue.
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I have been debating that exact idea. Probably do it tomorrow. They are just so tiny. Maybe I'll just move the parents.
 
You're witnessing nature. Egg layers have thousands of offspring in their breeding lifetime. If more than a few survived to adulthood without intervention they would over run their ecosystem.
 
I have been debating that exact idea. Probably do it tomorrow. They are just so tiny. Maybe I'll just move the parents.
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There only in there with there parents? I think rams are good about not eating there own fry. Not 100% on that. Sorry for some reason I thought this was a community tank.
 
There only in there with there parents? I think rams are good about not eating there own fry. Not 100% on that. Sorry for some reason I thought this was a community tank.
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It's hard to say but some rams parents will definitely eat every one of their fry. Older breeding pairs are less likely. Most breeders separate them because they wish to sell them.
 
I know angelfish are great parents, but if there new to spawning they will eat there fry. As they gain experience in spawning you can even grow out the fry with the parents. Not like that with Bolivians?
 
I know angelfish are great parents, but if there new to spawning they will eat there fry. As they gain experience in spawning you can even grow out the fry with the parents. Not like that with Bolivians?
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Some rams are good with fry. I have a few internet friends with very successful breeding pairs of most every kind of ram. How common that is I don't really know. Some breeders just pull them so they don't have to wait around a long time while they figure it out. Raising wigglers isn't exactly simple though. Waaay easier if the parents will raise them.
 
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  • #30
This is a proven pair 1 year old,but as mentioned the breeder does move the Wigglers to optimize the amount he has to sell. From research I have done, it appears the swimmers should be safe until the parents spawn again. Then they might/will eat the fry
to ensure the incoming batch has the best chance for survival. Mother Nature.
 
This is a proven pair 1 year old,but as mentioned the breeder does move the Wigglers to optimize the amount he has to sell. From research I have done, it appears the swimmers should be safe until the parents spawn again. Then they might/will eat the fry
to ensure the incoming batch has the best chance for survival. Mother Nature.
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I suppose at some point they no longer view them as their own fry. I wonder what the longest period of time any species of fish provides parental care? Probably no longer than a few months but that is purely a guess.
 

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I suppose at some point they no longer view them as their own fry. I wonder what the longest period of time any species of fish provides parental care? Probably no longer than a few months but that is purely a guess.
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I would say that's a pretty good guess. Considering most fish provide no parental care. They spawn and leave the eggs to either, get eaten, hatch in to fry then get eaten, and a few make it to adulthood. Killer whales ( tho mammals) take care of there young into adulthood.
 
I would say that's a pretty good guess. Considering most fish provide no parental care. They spawn and leave the eggs to either, get eaten, hatch in to fry then get eaten, and a few make it to adulthood. Killer whales ( tho mammals) take care of there young into adulthood.
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That's nothing. My mother raised my brother for well over 40 years. He's lucky she didn't eat him when the next kid was born.

I owe jmaldo a good thread jacking anyway. Anyone want to talk about my new Berlin Black Swordtails?

 
LOL OnTheFly

I suppose at some point they no longer view them as their own fry. I wonder what the longest period of time any species of fish provides parental care? Probably no longer than a few months but that is purely a guess.
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I've wondered this myself. I'd be curious to know (other than mammals like whales)
 
If someone starts a thread on that topic tag me in please.
 
LOL OnTheFly



I've wondered this myself. I'd be curious to know (other than mammals like whales)
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If someone starts a thread on that topic tag me in please.
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Start one NightShade. I've already started a bunch this week. As a fly fisherman the only cold or warmwater fish I am aware of that fiercely guard nests much after the spawn are not too far removed from the cichlid family.
 
Start one NightShade. I've already started a bunch this week. As a fly fisherman the only cold or warmwater fish I am aware of that fiercely guard nests much after the spawn are not too far removed from the cichlid family.
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I'm actually thinking of a slow growing, mouth brooding species. They gotta be good parents for a good long time.
 
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  • #39
During my research did come across a few vids of Mouth Brooding Cichlids especially a Blue Dolphin.
Dave125g Sounds like you want another tank. LOL
 
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  • #41
Update. Did a 20% WC today. Decided to move about 20 swimmers to another tank as a precaution (might be a mistake), as discussed not sure if and when the parents will spawn again and then Mother Nature takes over. Just did not want to lose all if that happens. Feeding a mixture of Baby Brine shrimp, egg yolk and fry food 3 times a day. They are growing and exploring the tank. Have micro-worm and eel cultures on the way.
 

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Update. Did a 20% WC today. Decided to move about 20 swimmers to another tank as a precaution (might be a mistake), as discussed not sure if and when the parents will spawn again and then Mother Nature takes over. Just did not want to lose all if that happens. Feeding a mixture of Baby Brine shrimp, egg yolk and fry food 3 times a day. They are growing and exploring the tank. Have micro-worm and eel cultures on the way.
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Good call pulling a few fry. It will be good practice learning to care for them. If the parents start eating them it's hard to react fast enough.
 
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  • #43
Unable to watch tank 24/7, even though I would like to. LOL
This is tougher than I bargained for. But enjoying it all the same. Platys,Guppies so much easier. Learning all the time.
 
Unable to watch tank 24/7, even though I would like to. LOL
This is tougher than I bargained for. But enjoying it all the same. Platys,Guppies so much easier. Learning all the time.
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Yes, live-bearers are child's play compared to most egg layers. I've about decided the only easy way to do it would be to put a proven pair, maybe two, in a 55G planted like a jungle. Net out some 1/2" long fish now and then that don't need spoon fed.
 
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  • #45
Update. A couple of pics of the fry. Also got my Micro- worm cultures today. Great seller even sent along some of his blends of fry food. Review to come.

BR Fry 1.jpg

BR Fry.jpg


Goodies.jpg
 
They appear to be pretty good parents. Congrats , there getting bigger already.
 
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  • #47
So far so good. It's funny, if I watch the tank from about 4 or 5 ft away the parents allow them to swim the tank. If I get closer the male gets in my viewing area and the mother corrals as many fry as she can. They still think I am a predator. Maybe because I took the 20 for the other tank as a safe guard. Learning all the time.
 
So far so good. It's funny, if I watch the tank from about 4 or 5 ft away the parents allow them to swim the tank. If I get closer the male gets in my viewing area and the mother corrals as many fry as she can. They still think I am a predator. Maybe because I took the 20 for the other tank as a safe guard. Learning all the time.
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LOL... yep, that's probably why they are determined to fight that giant that keeps getting near their babies!!
 
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  • #50
Update
Prior to doing a water change today. I noticed less fry. Thought it might be my tired eyes, had my son (eagle eye) take a look. Sure enough probably 1/3 missing. Looked for carcasses (so tiny) but none could be found at least by eagle eye anyways. Decided to move the parents even though during my research the mortality rate at this time is very high or the parents are doing selective culling or both. Also the 20 I moved to the other tank are now back with their siblings also noticed a few missing during the move. So went from approx 100 to 60 in a matter of a few days. Time will tell. Learning everyday.
 

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