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View Full Version : Baby Shellies...now What?

phishphorphun
10-02-2006, 8:52 AM
Had a few specs swimming in one of the shells in the L. Stappersi tank this morning.

You may have to look close to see the little guys...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/Lake%20Tanganyika/6aBabyLStappersi100206.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/Lake%20Tanganyika/6bBabyLStappersi100206.jpg

There two in this shot with their backs to us...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/Lake%20Tanganyika/6cBabyLStappersi100206.jpg

Since I haven't bred fish in several years, this is kinda neat to me. Any chance they will survive? They are in a 29g tank with five young adult pearly occelatus.
daniel4832
10-02-2006, 12:49 PM
Bobby,
Congrats!
The parents should guard their fry from the other fish, or you could move the shell, with the fry, and female, into a 5 1/2 gallon tank. That is what has worked best for me.
Thanks,
Daniel
Pat Kelly
10-02-2006, 2:32 PM
Good job. Make sure they get some small food to eat once in a while. There should be some stuff to pick at.
Next thing you know, you will be breeding to sell to stores....lol.....I can see it now. 50 tanks of babies. :D
phishphorphun
10-05-2006, 9:49 PM
So Daniel, how many fry normally are expected to survive the first time out? I think I have lost a couple already. I saw at least one far from the shell and haven't seen it since. And the first day I saw three in the shell, today I have only seen one around the shell. Mama is still protecting this one very closely.

I'm going to just let them take their chances in the 29g. I really don't won't to end up like Pat....(and you), with 50 tiny tanks of babies. But, it would be kool if a few would make it and populate the shelly tank.

In this shot from today, the baby seems to be protecting mama...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/Lake%20Tanganyika/7aBabyLStappersi100506.jpg
daniel4832
10-06-2006, 9:36 AM
Bobby,
Some times it takes the young parents a couple times to get it right, but so far it looks like they are doing a good job (knock on wood :rolleyes: ). You could end up with a couple of dozen fry.
Is it just shellies and cpys in the tank?
Thanks,
Daniel
phishphorphun
10-06-2006, 12:16 PM
Is it just shellies and cpys in the tank?

Just the shellies.

The cyps are in the 33long now.

Thanks Dan. :D