SwordTaleLair
02-05-2011, 03:27 AM
I have a brood of Oreochromis nilotica [Nile Tilapia] that are almost a year old. One of the females started mouthbrooding her first group of eggs Feb 1. I know the incubation period is a week to two weeks. I intended to isolate her next weekend after the fry at least were almost ready to be free.
Unfortunately, the male took a liking to her again and started pushing her around and wouldn't leave her alone, even when she hid. I took 10 gallons of water out of the 75 they are in and I setup one of my 10 gallon aquariums bare bottomed for her. I also placed an aquatech 15 HOB on the fry tank that lived running on my brood tank to maintain a colony of BB. I heated the 10 gallon tank to the same temp as the brood tank and let it sit for a day to settle. After a long time I coaxed momma into a clean bowl and transported her to the new tank. During that time, and I expected it, she expelled her eggs. I placed everything in the fry tank and she picked them back up in her mouth after settling in the tank. Several hours later, I noticed she has expelled her eggs again, but is guarding them well. For example, when I get close, she drops down to the bottom of the tank right over the eggs and watches me.
Is it possible for mouthbrooders to let their eggs go and protect them another way? Could it be that she is just a newbie and trying to figure out her instincts?
If this can be considered normal, is there anything special I should know or keep in mind to help the eggs?
Thanks.
STL.
Unfortunately, the male took a liking to her again and started pushing her around and wouldn't leave her alone, even when she hid. I took 10 gallons of water out of the 75 they are in and I setup one of my 10 gallon aquariums bare bottomed for her. I also placed an aquatech 15 HOB on the fry tank that lived running on my brood tank to maintain a colony of BB. I heated the 10 gallon tank to the same temp as the brood tank and let it sit for a day to settle. After a long time I coaxed momma into a clean bowl and transported her to the new tank. During that time, and I expected it, she expelled her eggs. I placed everything in the fry tank and she picked them back up in her mouth after settling in the tank. Several hours later, I noticed she has expelled her eggs again, but is guarding them well. For example, when I get close, she drops down to the bottom of the tank right over the eggs and watches me.
Is it possible for mouthbrooders to let their eggs go and protect them another way? Could it be that she is just a newbie and trying to figure out her instincts?
If this can be considered normal, is there anything special I should know or keep in mind to help the eggs?
Thanks.
STL.