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Crispy
03-01-2009, 07:45 AM
Here's a few pics of one of my female 7-stripe kigomas with some eggs. She's had them about 4 days now (incubation is a whopping 28 days!)... debating whether or not to strip her of the eggs and try my tumbler, or see if she'll hold full term. I believe this to be the fronts second spawning and first time I lost the eggs after about the first 4 days.

She's about 3 years old and just over 4 inches... first picture she is the top frontosa. 4th picture is one of my 3 males and he is 3rd in command. Last picture is the big daddy (6.5 inches)
:fish: :fish: :fish: :fish:
Deleted User
03-01-2009, 10:07 AM
Very nice fronts and great pics Crispy.

Good luck with the eggs. :ssmile:
sandy_n
03-01-2009, 10:11 AM
Beautiful fish. They have all kinds of hiding places. I like the tank set up!
Jellygirl
03-01-2009, 10:46 AM
Here's a few pics of one of my female 7-stripe kigomas with some eggs. She's had them about 4 days now (incubation is a whopping 28 days!)

Great pictures - 28 days WOW. Lucky I'm not a fishlol - cause I chat too mum:hmm3grin2orange:
Pandora
03-01-2009, 12:19 PM
I really like the way you have set your tank up. Looks great!
Crispy
03-01-2009, 02:11 PM
thanks everyone! my fingers are crossed too!
Ellen4God
03-01-2009, 02:54 PM
How do they eat when they're holding the eggs? Or do they just go without eating?
btate617
03-01-2009, 06:17 PM
How do they eat when they're holding the eggs? Or do they just go without eating?

Good luck Criapy!!
They won't eat until they spit/swallow their eggs Ellen. Thats the tough part sometimes it takes them a few tries to get it down.

Brian
Crispy
03-01-2009, 07:26 PM
Good luck Criapy!!
They won't eat until they spit/swallow their eggs Ellen. Thats the tough part sometimes it takes them a few tries to get it down.

yup.. no eating when your mouth is juggling eggs for a few weeks. My geos go 2 weeks no problems, but 4 weeks is a long time and I think I may strip the frontosa in a few days.
Brookfish
03-01-2009, 10:29 PM
The very best of luck with the eggs bud, I really hope
things work out for you, this is awesome news! thumbs2:
kaybee
03-01-2009, 10:57 PM
...My geos go 2 weeks no problems, but 4 weeks is a long time...

Not for the frontosas's (and other african cichlids which mouthbrood for even longer periods). They're adapted/have evolved to doing being able to this (mouthbrood and fast).
Crispy
03-01-2009, 11:00 PM
Not for the frontosas's (and other african cichlids which mouthbrood for even longer periods). They're adapted/have evolved to doing being able to this (mouthbrood and fast).

I've been reading that the first few times are the hardest for the females, especially the smaller ones (like my size)... and I've already lost one batch to swallowing, so I think I'm going to strip them out and try my egg tumbler.
kaybee
03-01-2009, 11:52 PM
Yeah, it does take them a while to get the hang of it. Sometimes inexperienced moms will come to the conclusion that the eggs are edible and they'll consume their own brood, even when the eggs have been fertilized; or they may eat/reject the eggs so that they're able to eat during feeding time. After a couple of times they eventually get the hang of it.
Crispy
03-01-2009, 11:59 PM
Yeah, it does take them a while to get the hang of it. Sometimes inexperienced moms will come to the conclusion that the eggs are edible and they'll consume their own brood, even when the eggs have been fertilized; or they may eat/reject the eggs so that they're able to eat during feeding time. After a couple of times they eventually get the hang of it.

This batch of eggs is going into my tumbler tonight (about day 5)... hopefully I get a good count and some success with this method.
Brookfish
03-02-2009, 01:52 AM
Good luck with that bud, keep us updated!
Crispy
03-02-2009, 02:01 AM
okay, here's the update on the kigoma eggs... I took apart the tank, got the female, stripped her, and got 15 wigglers and 2 dead. Put the wigglers (newly hatched, still with big egg sacks) into the tumbler and they tumbling very lightly in the main tank!! I FINALLY GOT SOME BABY FRONTOSA!!!
for some reason, its not letting me upload pics, but I'll get some up tonight!
Brookfish
03-02-2009, 02:30 AM
Thats just awesome, congrats bud!:19: :19:
Deleted User
03-02-2009, 02:37 AM
Congratulations Crispy. Good luck with them. thumbs2:
Crispy
03-02-2009, 03:28 AM
...after stripping the wigglers, I did a light vaccuuming and topped back up the tank (20 gals worth) and my alpha male paired up with another female just an hour after. Still with the tank lights on I watched them take over the big clay pot near the middle of the tank and spawn. The male turned dark black with fins clamped. The male and female took turns in and out of the big pot. After an hour she had a mouthful! She's my biggest female and now I think I will let this batch stay with her full term. Here's a shot of my tank now and the egg tumbler in action...
boy96792
03-02-2009, 06:16 AM
Nice Fronts. good luck with the eggs:19:
Brookfish
03-02-2009, 01:55 PM
Thats a regular breeding factory you have there now Crispy
congrats bud!
Crispy
03-02-2009, 06:22 PM
Thats a regular breeding factory you have there now Crispy
congrats bud!

yes, I have fry everywhere now! My 20 gallon fry tank is going to need an upgrade :)
Deleted User
03-09-2009, 01:52 PM
How are the fry Crispy?
Crispy
03-09-2009, 01:56 PM
How are the fry Crispy?

Fry are doing alright so far. My female kigoma is still holding also. I think she will be a fine mum and carry them full term (till the end of the month!)
No pics yet... soon though
Deleted User
03-09-2009, 01:57 PM
That's great news :thumb:


Ok be great to see the fry if you get a chance. Never seen fronts that small thumbs2:
Crispy
03-09-2009, 02:00 PM
That's great news :thumb:
Ok be great to see the fry if you get a chance. Never seen fronts that small thumbs2:

They already have their stripes CF! And they are really big fry... much bigger than the geo fry.
Deleted User
03-09-2009, 02:03 PM
They already have their stripes CF! And they are really big fry... much bigger than the geo fry.

They sound stunning Crispy. :ssmile:
Kadina
03-09-2009, 03:15 PM
Congrats on the fry!

How exactly do you "strip" the eggs? I understand what that means, but how is it accomplished without anyone getting hurt!
Deleted User
03-09-2009, 03:24 PM
Congrats on the fry!

How exactly do you "strip" the eggs? I understand what that means, but how is it accomplished without anyone getting hurt!


Here is a video showing the different methods. Just to let you know some may be a little graphic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpeMPk2e7U8
Kadina
03-09-2009, 06:22 PM
Here is a video showing the different methods. Just to let you know some may be a little graphic.

Thank you, that answered my question perfectly.
Deleted User
03-09-2009, 06:25 PM
Thank you, that answered my question perfectly.

Your welcome. I find pictures make it easier to explain then describing in writing. :ssmile:
Jellygirl
03-09-2009, 09:06 PM
I had no idea it was quite so invasive. Gosh what a newbie I am. So much to learn and so little time to do it in. lol