"Steve" wrote in message
news:bAp9b.465860$o%2.206055@sccrnsc02...
I set up a 10gal tank with 5 Cardinals and a pair of Kribs. I set it
up for
my 10 year old son who has taken an interest in fish for some time now.
I
thought Kribs would be an interesting fish for him to breed, given
their
parental instincts.

Went to the LFS and picked out a plump female and a male. Although far
from
full grown, I would say they were more mature juveniles. On day three
of
getting them home they spawned on the inside of an inverted clay pot
with
the bottom cut off. For the next 2 days the female religiously guarded
and
fanned the eggs. The male didn't seem to be interested at all and just
foraged for food all day. On day 3 the eggs were gone and the female
was
out looking for food with the male. No sign of any fry. I understand
it is
relatively common to be unsuccessful the first time they spawn.

Within 8 days they spawned again in the same pot. I did notice a
significant difference in the male this time. He took a more active
roll in
guarding the area. He even spent some time in the pot along with her
(she
seemed to be ok with this). From the side of the tank I could see some
of
the eggs inside the clay pot. They looked good, didn't have any signs
of
fungus which led me to believe they got fertilized. The morning of day
4
the eggs were gone but the fish were tending them as usual so I thought
they
were bouncing off the bottom inside the pot, not yet free swimming.
Later
that day both fish were out looking for food and abandoned the pot. I
have
heard that they will move the newly hatched fry to new locations but
there
are no signs of this. It seems to me that one of the two (or both) ate
the
eggs/newly hatched fry again.

Is this something they have to work out themselves or am I not
providing the
right environment?

Set-up facts that may help:

UG filter with air risers.
Standard coarse gravel about 1/8 to 3/16" dia. Is there any way the
fry got
caught up in the gravel. Although it is an UG filter, it is driven by
a low
rate pump, I can't believe there is any real velocity to speak of.

pH 6.8 - 7.2
no measurable ammonia or nitrites.

Is there anything I should do differently or chalk it up to their
inexperience (or perhaps mine) and let them keep trying as is.

What a shame, they seem to make such a nice couple and get along very
well.

Thanks to all,
Steve

Their first attempt went solo and the eggs never got to hatch. Their 2nd
attempt was as a pair and they might have gotten as far as the eggs
hatching. I'd say that they are making progress. One of them might have
eaten them while moving the wigglers *oops*. Hopefully the next attempt
will see them moving the fry from site to site successfully. They might
still get eaten before they are all free-swimming, so it might take yet
another go around, but that's alright, they will make more. I've never
heard of a UGF absorbing a wiggler, but anything is possible. I imagine
it would just stay under a stone until the egg sac was absorbed and it
would wiggle out (unless a stone rolled over it). Once they are
free-swimming, leave a night light on, so the Kribs can defend against
any nocturnal hunting by the tank-mates.

While it's relatively common for the first spawn to be a practice run,
it's not unusual for more 'learning' to occur with future attempts. Some
fish (like some Angelfish) never get it right, but Kribs have a
reputation for being successful. JMO

NetMax