Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hey guys, I'm glad I found this forum, it's got some great info.

I've got a 63G tank with 3 discus, 1 angel, and some tetras. Before this, I had a few discus but lost some during the move.

We did a lot of research and got help from a local breeder before adding them. Recently, we got 2 more from a local guy and it turns out a pair formed - they say it's rare.

So, they spawn every week and it's pretty cool. The eggs hatch and the fry stay on the branch for a few days, then they start swimming on their own. The parents are always close by to protect them.

But here's the thing, I never see the fry going to the parents to feed. I've heard the fry stick with the parents and feed off their slime coat or something.

And then, a few days later, the parents eat them.

My question is, I'm guessing this is happening because it's a community tank and the fry aren't going to the parents, so the parents eat them?

If that's the case, can I remove the babies and put them in a smaller tank? I've got some Hikari First Bites Semi-Floating Fry Food.

Thanks!

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

I think you've got a good chance if you put them in a breeder by themselves. No distractions, the fry might just attach to the adults then.

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

Originally posted by lunar

Got to say being you got them to the swimming stage it would probably work if you put them into a breeder by themselves. With no distraction the fry may attach to the adults.

I'm thinking of moving the fry to a 10g tank I have. I don't want to move the parents, too stressful for them. If I just move the fry and add the Hikari First Bites food, do you think they'll be okay?

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

Parents get super protective of the babies, and with other fish in the tank, they're just a threat. Honestly, the babies probably wouldn't make it in a community tank anyway, other fish will eat them eventually.

Those little guys feed off the parents' slime coat for a bit, and you can start adding bbs after a few days. If you move them, they might not survive without the slime coat, unless you're up for the challenge and willing to put in the work to raise them artificially. Without the slime coat, they'll probably be weak and stunted, and depending on how many you're trying to raise, you'll need a bigger tank to grow them out.

If you want to breed them, try putting the parents in their own tank, like a 20g, and see what happens. Then have some other tanks ready to grow the babies out...

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

Thanks for the info, really appreciate it. I'm still a bit concerned about moving them, they seem so delicate. What I find weird is that the fry never seem to go back to the parents for food, they just swim off on their own.

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

Originally posted by 3monkeys

ah great thx. just always affraid moving them since there pretty fragile..whats odd is that they never go to the parents..they just swim off.

I think I might try moving the eggs sooner, like 30 minutes after spawning, instead of waiting for them to free swim. That way, maybe the fry will develop better and actually go to the parents for food. It's weird that they just swim off on their own, I've heard that if the fry don't go to the parents, it's usually because they're underdeveloped. Maybe it's just the way my tank is set up, but it seems like the parents just ignore them after 3 to 5 days.

Re: Comunity Tank with Discus (fry's)

Thanks guys for the helpful info, i really appreciate it.