Yes John,

Sorry I omitted to say that - I was trying to get it posted in time to still receive an 8 o'clock phone call - failed on both counts!

So yes, from an established filter would be just great, but not altogether essential - the fry would still manage to glean some sustenance from an established tank until you started giving them supplementary feed, I wouldn't offer the crushed flake yet though, gradually add that to their diet as they start to grow.

John

grand ill do that tommorow if everything is still good
thanks again for your help
john

ah the joys of it .got home this evening to find all the fry had been eaten,im not so down onit because this time they got past the egg stage without snacking,so my reckoning is in maybe 2 more attempts[its all a learning curve for both me and them].anyway decided to do a water change and found 3-4 fry in the water out of my external so ive just left them in the bucket .What should i do with thrm
thanks again
john

Oh well, John

A sad ending to this round but I'm glad you've accepted it pretty well, with Severums you're bound to get more - and they're sure to get it right one of these times!

Do you have a small tank you might try to raise your rescued fry in? - I'm reluctant to suggest one of those netting 'traps' as, it's been my finding that larger fish will try to 'suck' the fry through the netting, and that always kills them...

It might just be the best idea to 'write off' the few remainders you have this time - sorry if it sounds a bit mercenary but it might well be the easiest plan of action for you.

Just a thought which we hadn't discussed - will you have a rearing tank for when you take the next (hopefully) batch away from the adults? Large Severums tend to have pretty large broods and you should take this into account and perhaps be pretty selective about how many you actually want to raise...

John

hi john
there is only one of the fry left so im not holding out much hope for it.
as regarding another tank i know i will have to get another one , what size would you suggest ,i was thinking of another 96ltr or 120
thanks again for all your help
john

John,
For growing-on Cichlid fry the definite requirement is plenty of space so I would suggest the largest tank you can afford/have space for...

This becomes even more crucial with Severums as they aren't exactly one of the smaller species either! I'd be interested to know how large your three pairs are? I have a pair, and some spares, of the Heros Notatus Severums which are around eight or nine inches long now - and they're still growing!!!

Be prepared, yours will spawn again before you know it !!!

Best wishes,

John

hi john
the males are about 8" and the females are 5
john

dingding,round 3 found eegs again today lets see how far we get this time im going to have to train myself to give the fish a bit of breeding space[like a big kid i am]and keep away from tank 200 times a day!
thanks john

Best of luck with this brood john,sounds like you've had a tough time so far

Paul

hi paul
i wouldnt say a hard time its all great fun and a good learning curve ive also just noticed another pair of these rotkiels in my main tank cleaning rocks and defending an area .If these lay egs im going to have to take them of them and try raise them myself.with that and the wife due in the next 2 weeks it will be all hands to the deck: