Worried with a quick question...

[khblock]

I'm in my first zebra spawn and found two fry babies on slate while doing a water change yesterday.

I found another one this morning. Its in the cave with dad.

Now I'm worried...why are the other two out of the cave already? It looks as if Mom is watching over them.

They have lost their yoke sacks and seem to be moving when I shine the flashlight on them. Do you think they will be ok? They look like they may be around day 16 (judging by the photos in the Spawn Diary on the breeding page).

Any thoughts????

[Plastic Mac]

well that's excellent news well done.

You're further ahead than me, no spawns as yet ...but I'll give my two pence worth and hopefully it'll be right....

If thye've lost they're yolk sacs then it doesn't sound like a major problem, them being out that is. It means they're now eating properly in which case they'll need to come out of the cave. Not sure whether Mom would be watching over them, since she doesn't partake in take care of the eggs....I wonder then how she can recognise her offspring 2-3 weeks later?
I would imagine they'll be fine but wait for someone who's already had their's spawn for their advice,...it'll no doubt be more valid than mine.

I would stop shining flash lights in their eyes though....it probably freaks them right out.

[khblock]

Thanks for the reply Plastic Mac.

I've been trying to get my zebras to spawn for two years. I asked DuMa to make slate caves for me. I got them on February 4th and put them in right away. In less than one month we have babies.

Thanks DuMa.

[Plastic Mac]

You're lucky.

I've had caves for ages....and only now over the last week do I think I've got the right ratio between number of caves per number of males per number of hiding places in the tank which aren't caves...it's been a long process finding the correct ratio.

Then again I'm still not sure I actually have any females...

I'll get there one day....but only cos I'll never give up until I do

[jerms55555]

I noticed that some of my fry will stay with the father for quite some time...and some others would actually hide near the mother....but than again the mother was with the other colony of sub-adults and females...So im not to sure if the fry find their mother or just tag along with the colony! I have never seen them alone on the other side of the tank thats for sure! So i think you have no problems just watch what you feed them! They tend to choke on bloodworms ....If you want to keep feeding the parents and others the same food i would personally take out the fry and feed them separtley in a breeding trap in th e same tank. I usually leave them in the same tank but feed the whole tank a grounded up mixture i got from a fellow member here....They love it!!!

[khblock]

feed the whole tank a grounded up mixture i got from a fellow member here....They love it!!!

Thanks jerms55555 for the reply. Care to share the recipe???

[Plastic Mac]

I think Jerms is talking about this one:

http://www.zebrapleco.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=444

Plastic Mac