Sajica baby

[MarkIII]

First time in the NG, and I need help. My pair of sajica (what is the
genus? Is Archocentrus right?), just had 20 or so babies. I read
somewhere that the parents are able to raise them to maturity with
crushed pellets they spit to the wrigglers. Is it right, or they need
some help from me (brine shrimp and the like)?
Thanks

Marco (from Italy)

[NetMax]

"MarkIII" > wrote in message
...
> First time in the NG, and I need help. My pair of sajica (what is the
> genus? Is Archocentrus right?), just had 20 or so babies. I read
> somewhere that the parents are able to raise them to maturity with
> crushed pellets they spit to the wrigglers. Is it right, or they need
> some help from me (brine shrimp and the like)?
> Thanks
>
> Marco (from Italy)


Crush some flake food in your fingers to make a fine powder. Frozen baby
brine shrimp works very well in the early stages. If you rely on the fry
surviving on what they find, or what they can fit in their mouths from
the parent's chewing, you will have large losses and a huge difference in
growth rates between them. (imo)
--
www.NetMax.tk

[MarkIII]

NetMax wrote:
> "MarkIII" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>First time in the NG, and I need help. My pair of sajica (what is the
>>genus? Is Archocentrus right?), just had 20 or so babies. I read
>>somewhere that the parents are able to raise them to maturity with
>>crushed pellets they spit to the wrigglers. Is it right, or they need
>>some help from me (brine shrimp and the like)?
>>Thanks
>>
>>Marco (from Italy)
>
>
>
> Crush some flake food in your fingers to make a fine powder. Frozen baby
> brine shrimp works very well in the early stages. If you rely on the fry
> surviving on what they find, or what they can fit in their mouths from
> the parent's chewing, you will have large losses and a huge difference in
> growth rates between them. (imo)


Ok, I'll do. Thanks a lot. Do you think I need to remove the couple of
A. heckelii they live with? They big enough to threaten the baby, I
think, once mom and dad are not keeping the two big fellas at bay.

Marco

[NetMax]

"MarkIII" > wrote in message
.. .
> NetMax wrote:
>> "MarkIII" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>First time in the NG, and I need help. My pair of sajica (what is the
>>>genus? Is Archocentrus right?), just had 20 or so babies. I read
>>>somewhere that the parents are able to raise them to maturity with
>>>crushed pellets they spit to the wrigglers. Is it right, or they need
>>>some help from me (brine shrimp and the like)?
>>>Thanks
>>>
>>>Marco (from Italy)
>>
>>
>>
>> Crush some flake food in your fingers to make a fine powder. Frozen
>> baby brine shrimp works very well in the early stages. If you rely on
>> the fry surviving on what they find, or what they can fit in their
>> mouths from the parent's chewing, you will have large losses and a
>> huge difference in growth rates between them. (imo)
>
>
> Ok, I'll do. Thanks a lot. Do you think I need to remove the couple of
> A. heckelii they live with? They big enough to threaten the baby, I
> think, once mom and dad are not keeping the two big fellas at bay.
>
> Marco

You have some interesting fish. Use your discretion regarding the
heckelii. It really depends on tank size, fish size, amount of shelter,
how many fry you want to reach maturity, ability of the adults to protect
the fry (nightlight and good shelter, or wide open spaces), and how much
trouble it is to remove the heckelii (could be very disruptive to
everyone).

What I have sometimes done, is to allow the situation to resolve itself
with the first spawn. Then I optimize the tank (ie: removing the other
fish) and let the breeding pair then have another brood. However, it
really depends on your circumstances and objective.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[MarkIII]

NetMax wrote:

>
> You have some interesting fish.

Why? Are they so rare?
And, as a matter of fact, I didn't know they were heckeli until I try to
compare 'em with online pictures. I don't think they're a pair, though,
because I don't see any sexual dimorphism.

> Use your discretion regarding the
> heckelii. It really depends on tank size, fish size, amount of shelter,
> how many fry you want to reach maturity, ability of the adults to protect
> the fry (nightlight and good shelter, or wide open spaces), and how much
> trouble it is to remove the heckelii (could be very disruptive to
> everyone).

That's what I thought. The heckeli are pretty difficult to catch, and
mom and dad sajica rather aggressive. The tank is overvegetated, with
plenty of hiding sites.

> What I have sometimes done, is to allow the situation to resolve itself
> with the first spawn. Then I optimize the tank (ie: removing the other
> fish) and let the breeding pair then have another brood. However, it
> really depends on your circumstances and objective.

I thought it would be good to leave smaller cichlids (young sajica,
maybe, or the ram) to "spice" the pair. Am I right?
My goal would be to have a good "ecosystem", with fish able to fend for
themselves. I know it's not easy, but I've been trying to reach it since
time immemorable. Anyway, tnaks for your advices. I'll keep the NG informed.

Marco