Bolivian rams have fry!

[Morainy]

My Bolivian rams disappeared awhile ago and I was starting to wonder if I'd find one of them floating in the tank...

But it seems that they've just been off in a private corner, being amorous, because today they came to the front of the tank in glorious colour, surrounded by a cloud of tiny fry. (My son pointed out the fry to me as I was fretting about why the rams were darting around like Spitfires... I thought that the water quality was off, but it turns out that they were chasing the rasboras away.)

This is welcome news for me as previously, I've seen one of the rams guarding eggs at the front of the tank, then munching on them. I had given up on them ever producing fry and thought that perhaps they were both female (of the hungry variety).

But they found a quiet corner that they like better and have become parents. I might even move my rasboras to another tank, to give them a bit of space. What do you think? (36 gallons)

Now I've got baby endlers, baby killifish and baby Bolivian rams!

[Morainy]

One of the nice things about the Bolivian rams (so far): the parents seem to be looking after them. I think that's why they brought the fry to the front of the tank -- because they knew I'd put some food into the tank.

This is unlike the endlers and killifish, whose parents either ignore them or compete with them for food. The Bolivian rams are shepherding their fry around and making the Harlequin rasboras stay in the corner. I might have to move the rasboras somewhere else.

[eternity302]

=) Gotta luv how the rams look too! Can't wait to see some pics!

Gratz Maureen!

[crazy72]

This is great news, Maureen. Congratulations!

It just happens that I have been toying with the idea of breeding Bolivian rams now (either this or some kind of Apistos), so I've been reading about them as parents. Apparently it's quite normal for them that both parents look after the fry, as opposed to Apistos where in most cases, the female does it on her own while the male guards the territory (although I'm sure there are exceptions).

As to the rasboras, IMO it depends on how badly you want to keep the fry. I would personally be tempted to give it a try with the rasboras in and see how the parents do. Maybe keep a little night light on at night to help them.

Good luck, and congrats again. What a busy house you have!

[Morainy]

Thanks, Eternity302 & Crazy72. It does seem as though both parents are looking after the fry. This is a good development because earlier on, when there were just eggs on a stone at the front of the tank (the eggs that were eaten) the female would chase the male away repeatedly, basically kept him cornered. I don't know whether it's because they've gotten their act together or because the eggs have become fry or because they moved their home to the back of the tank, but they are definitely working as a team.

I'm not very worried about the rasboras eating the fry (though perhaps I should be). I am more worried about the rasboras being stressed by the rams. However, the rams have taken their fry back to the sheltered area at the back of the tank now that I've fed them with the baster that Scholz gave me, and they're leaving the rasboras alone.

Will the rasboras leave the fry alone? To be continued...

[eternity302]

Sounds exactly like how my convicts bred last time! Female guards the egg and whomever goes near them, the male with circle or go back and forth guarding a parameter that no one is allowed near!

As for the rasbora... I doubt they'll give up! I would look at it as their natural nature! (Big fish always eat small fish)

[athena]

congrats on the newest addition to your family! sure hope the fry survive ^ ^

[crazy72]

They did it by the book! This is exactly what I read: the female looks after the eggs by herself but then both parents get involved with the fry... Good little guys!

[t-bore]

Congrats on all the little ones!

[Morainy]

Thanks, T-Bore. They're in the tank that's on the stand you built. :-)

Franck, that is fascinating. I should Google around until I find that info. I really should have been prepared for this! I just hope that the extremely tiny fry can eat Hikari First Bites and Sera Micron, which is what I'm feeding them (with a baster). I wouldn't want them to starve to death.