ZebraPleco.com • The complete Hypancistrus zebra resource

Hi

I have searched this sit but can't find the answer which is at what time should I be concerned about the time my alpha male keeps the fry in the cave.Not seen any venturing out yet and their egg sack was used up about aprox 3 days ago.
I'm putting food in for them at night and they do look ok at the moment and ordered a growing on tank should be set up within a week or so using fully cycled filter from another tank and water from old tank to keep same water parameters.

Thanks Jerry

If your male is younger or newly paired with a female, he might keep his fries longer. I remember one of my males kept his fries up to 4 weeks. I found that those fries come out and look for food when lights off and swim back to their dad's cave once lights on. I have a few fries have done that even they were 2 months old.

I would say no worry. Those little buggers know what do to get their bellies full.

Hi

Thanks twinspots_goby

Just wanted to make sure they was ok will leave them well alone.
I think that both females are trying to get in the same cave is this also normal I am worried that if he spawns so soon he will be exausted (if he does I am thinking of removing wrigglers from him.) I'm setting another tank up soon and cannot seperate them yet.(any comments)

Big thanks Jerry

I am not sure how muchg of it is dad keeping them in and the kids not wanting to leave home. On a number of occasions over the years I have seen a cave that was full of fry and a dad be empty during the morning cave check but at the after lights out check there will be a dad and 3 or 4 fry in there.

I think the only time the dad actually boots the brood is when he needs the space for the next spawning. Aside from that I think the kids kind of begin finding new digs on their own as it suits them.

Hi
Thanks for that looks like a few of the fry are scattered around the tank this morning will leave them for dad to decide what happens,well untill I get grow out tank set up they are all doing fine as they are at the moment.

Thanks Jerry

I have had fry hypan trying to get back in the cave when the male has been trapping a female for the next spawn it is funny to watch, I think they get to a stage where they zip in and out at will until they are to big.