BN eggs hatching!!

jimmyB · Post by **jimmyB** » 12 May 2006, 15:16

I am glad to be over the problem of my Albino BN not spawning for over 6-7 months. I finally saw a single egg in the tank, and upon further investigation, saw the male protecting a clump of eggs inside his cave on Saturday. As of Thursday night, I found a few wigglers scattered around the tank, so I siphoned them back into the cave. A couple were actually clinging to the wall of the tank glass. I think the makle must have moved aroudn and they got swirled out into the open area of tank. They are mostly egg sac at this point. Not sure how long before they need food. I will be gone travelling for 48 hours, I would estimate they would be at the wiggler stage for 24-36 hours at that point. Any idea when they will start to need food? I can put in a blanched zuchini slice before I leave, but the other 2-3 adults might gobble it up.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 12 May 2006, 15:22

I very much doubt that they will be harmed by you leaving them for 48 hours, and putting sufficient zucchini to last the adults for 48 hours would is just adding risk to the project.

I'd leave them as is, and feed them if they are out and about when you get back. I actually think they will be in the cave for another couple of days - mine take AGES to come out...

--
Mats

jimmyB · Post by **jimmyB** » 15 May 2006, 14:29

All is well after being out of town for a couple days. I used a flashlight to peek in the cave and I can see a mass of about 30 little tails wagging in unison. They are no longer wigglers but are shapped like mini bristlenose. The male is still in the cave with them. None of them were outside the cave. I put in a piece of blanched zuchini close enough to the cave entrance in case they decide to eat. I changed the water when I returned and fed the other fish in the tank. Should be quite a sight when they leave the cave and swarm the tank! Now I have to leave for 2-1/2 days again later this week! Might try to use an auto-feeder with some of the mini algae tablets crushed in it.

jimmyB · Post by **jimmyB** » 22 May 2006, 19:52

just for the record, in case anyone reads this thread a year from now, the fry were still in the cave on the 17th AM of May. By the 19th PM, about 5 were observed in the tank stuck on the glass, and by the AM of the 20th, the cave was empty and the fry were scattered everywhere. I believe that is about 6 days from when they were first observed as fully formed fish and not egg-sacs with tails. I have been changing the water approximately 10% twice a day, or one change of 15%. I have a large slice of quickly blanched zuchini in the tank, and some various catfish pellets or shrimp pellets that the adults like. The male stays in the cave, I have not seen him out swimming. Curious to see when the next round of spawning activity comes. Now that they have figured it out, I hope the male gets some food and his strength back, the female has been actively eating the entire time while the male does all the guarding work.

Azmeaiel · Post by **Azmeaiel** » 25 May 2006, 08:22

Nice work. Have been reading with great interest. I think I am about to go through the same saga. Have just set up a nice soft-water tank for a trio of albino BN's. Only other residents are a pair of tiny killifish. Both females are fat as pigs but the male seems to be reluctant to breed. Both girls constantly hang around his cave and follow him, all he does is chase them away. The male is only just maturing so I havnt lost hope just yet. Looks like you need a lot of patience when starting.