Smokey X Zebra

[LizStreithorst]

I thought that I knew my fish.  I thought that the Zebra would eat them for sure.  Shows what I know

[Mugwump]

I thought that I knew my fish.  I thought that the Zebra would eat them for sure.  Shows what I know

...he's a warrior....plus he snags loose fry and spits em back, just like mom.....I'm impressed....

[Mugwump]

..and they're still there....

[Mugwump]

...just watched them for a bit......and, yes.........they're still there...

[Mugwump]

...she moved them again !!!...I'm starting to really like this pair.....she's not perfect in shape...but their instincts are incredible ....

[wsantia1]

Sounds really great. Lots of raising instinct by that pair. Congrats again.

[Mugwump]

She's got em in ball(s) now........not huge, but looks like a fun spawn....I'm still thinking how in the world to get em out...LOL...

[LizStreithorst]

You're going to have to move them before they free swim.  Dig up the plant they're on, plop it in a love nest, put the pair in.  It's your only hope for this spawn.    Once they free swim they are lost.

[Mugwump]

You're going to have to move them before they free swim.  Dig up the plant they're on, plop it in a love nest, put the pair in.  It's your only hope for this spawn.    Once they free swim they are lost.

I'm not sure it's possible, Liz...the tank is on a top rack...it's precarious for a real delicate maneuver....I may try to siphon them off just prior to free swim to a small vessel, then move the parents, and then introduce the fry back slowly.....maybe with a baster directed at an anubia leaf already in there....might work..?  I've done similar with some success....but....?

I'll look again, but there may be a chance at just snipping the leaf for the move..??

[LizStreithorst]

Sounds to me that snipping off a leaf is the safest way.  I'd be scared to death to try the baster thing.

[Mugwump]

Sounds to me that snipping off a leaf is the safest way.  I'd be scared to death to try the baster thing.

There are different sizes of baster..you can control them pretty easily....my concern would be them capturing them without eating them when under the stress..?....instead of returning to a leaf...

[LizStreithorst]

That's my concern about the baster method myself.  The parents would be totally freaked if you did it that way.  If you remove a leaf at least they are all together the way the parents left them

[Mugwump]

That's my concern about the baster method myself.  The parents would be totally freaked if you did it that way.  If you remove a leaf at least they are all together the way the parents left them

...hopefully, if they come out easily.....I'll need to either move the parents first...while not knocking them off the leaf....or try to snip it while battling the 'monsters of the 55'.....neither sounds too easily accomplished...

[LizStreithorst]

Move the wigglers first if you can.  It will calm the parents to see them as they left them.  That's the way Discus people do.

[Mugwump]

Move the wigglers first if you can.  It will calm the parents to see them as they left them.  That's the way Discus people do.

With angel fish, it depends more on the hostility of the parents ...you'll most times never get those fry out without banging them around...period..the folks are all over your butt...but there are a few tricks for distraction...if done right...LOL....timing and speed is everything...

we'll see...