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View Full Version : Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?!?!



aharris
05-21-2003, 02:57 PM
I had sixteen baby furcifer. Now, I have two.

I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong. It just seems like I lose one or two more every six hours or so. Things evened out to where I didn't lose any for a few days but just between going to work this morning and coming home 6 of the last 8 have died.

They're eating well (when they're alive). They've got clean water and the filtration's good because they're in a net breeder in the same tank as their parents. They've got a sand substrate in the net and water sprite for cover. I've siphoned the bottom of the breeder to keep the detritus from building up; then I've gently poured tank water in just to make sure the water circulates.

I've not smashed any of them. The other fish don't even know they're there except for one who likes to shelter underneath the dark overhang from the sand.

I was cycling a sponge to set up a 15g first nursery and maternity tank, but at this rate it won't be necessary. To be fair, I never expected that I'd get fry on the first spawn; so I'm not crushed, but I am hoping to avoid this in the future.

I suppose it could be that the water stagnates in the breeder, but I've used them before with young mouthbrooder fry and had absolutely no deaths.

Any ideas?

SGypsyMermaid
05-21-2003, 06:54 PM
the furcifer babies are probably pickier about their water quality. you should keep a sponge or two in your main tank(s) at all times so that you can set up a maternity tank on short notice.

Overawed
05-21-2003, 08:46 PM
Is the net in the water flow of the filter? I lost some Red Eureka fry one night apparently because the net was not in a good location. I moved it directly in front of the water flow and never lost another.

aharris
05-22-2003, 05:20 AM
Well, I'll have the maternity tank ready for round two; I just expected her to eat her eggs and/or fry at a moment's notice. I had the feeling that if I did anything special, I'd jinx her. Next time, I know she can and probably will make it so I'll be ready.