new cichlid lays eggs > what do i do? pls help

[ysn27]

i just made a new aquarium, 25 gallon square type, and i used a mirror type glass for background. ...
1. On the first day, I bought 1 cichlid (I named him/her MOBI ... 3 1/2 inch big) and 1 janitor fish (named Plek ... 2 inch small) ... just observed that this cichlid (MOBI) i bought was territorial in habitat ... it jsut stayed on one place for a lot of time and that MOBI was indeed very angry at her/his image on the mirror glass (my background). It even bit my hand when i was arranging the pebbles and plants.
2. On the second day, I decided to buy 4 new additional fishes 1 pair of barowan and 2 small albino oscar ... but when i put them in ... i just noticed that there are alot of eggs on the sand ... which i suspect belonged to MOBI ... which maybe the reason for her being angry and so protective of her territory.
3. Third day, I just observed the eggs are still there, and none of the additional fish ate not one of them and hoped it will hatch and become babies soon ...
My problem is
(a) how soon will this eggs hatch and become baby fishes.
(b) will MOBI get used to the mirror because SHE (confirmed!) always bangs herself thinking that her image is anoter cichlid, fighting her own image
(c) MOBI doesnt eat anything and is i think getting thinner on the third day, i tried TETRA CICHLID big granules, she doesnt eat, is she still nursing or very busy with fighting herself on the mirror.she does this most of the time ...
(d) MOBI is attacking the 2 BAROWANA ( I named them B1, B2) i just bought this 2 coz they look like a piranha ... 3 1/2 inches big, just a little bigger than MOBI. But the new little albino oscars ( I named them OZ1 and OZ2 ... just over 1 inch long) are not being bothered by MOBI nor bothering her... Are they all not compatible to be with in one place?
(e) thats all for now ... hope you could all help ... thanks

[jonah]

Sorry to bring bad news, but there are several problems here.

1. If Moby was by herself when she laid the eggs, there's no way they can be fertile. They'll never hatch. Females can lay eggs without males, but they're unfertilized. Unfortunately they'll sometimes go through the stress of trying to guard them against all other fish in the tank.

2. 25g is way too small for most cichlids, especially the two oscars you mentioned. When you add Moby and the other fish that's a recipe for disaster.

3. The mirror background will probably cause stress to Moby as long as it's there. Cichlids are all territorial to some degree and she'll just see it as another, similar cichlid invading her territory.

4. I'm not sure what barowana are, but if they're anything like arowana then they'll get huge too. Way too big for a 25g. Hopefully they're not the same fish.

If all you have is the 25g, you might want to try some of the dwarf cichlids instead. They'll have similar behavior, but they're better suited for a small tank.

[ysn27]

jonah, thanks so much for that very educational reply, i dont really know anything about hatching, fry, or other breeding methods.Im still trying to educate myself all information i could learn from good sites like this one.
Now, i know that it needs one male to fertilize this eggs MOBY laid on.
Anyway heres another situation, and im hoping you could reply on your most convenient time.
(fourth day) - I got rid of the Albino Oscars (OZ1 & OZ2) and the "Barowanas" (B1 B2) and I gave it to a freind on my eagerness to breed and raise fry for the first time... hat to gave them away but i thought I need MOBI to be alone by herself for a time till her fry are swimming and gets healthy...

>>>> If by chance I get another male CHICLID ... is there still enough time for it to be fertilized? from my readings ... it said the eggs are usually laid on a flat stone and about 300 eggs (Indeed !!! it was there) ... and that it takes a week to make the fry swim... Anyway, whats the best thing to do now to be able to hatch her eggs and raise the fry?

Note: I also covered the mirror now and MOBY is now by herself and dancing, digging and happy. but I got sad to know that shes just going to all the stress of trying to guard her eggs but she wont be able to see them fry :(

[jonah]

Originally posted by ysn27

>>>> If by chance I get another male CHICLID ... is there still enough time for it to be fertilized? from my readings ... it said the eggs are usually laid on a flat stone and about 300 eggs (Indeed !!! it was there) ... and that it takes a week to make the fry swim... Anyway, whats the best thing to do now to be able to hatch her eggs and raise the fry?



It would be highly unlikely that the eggs would be fertilized now. By now the eggs will probably be fungassing (spoiling). She'll most likely eat them in a couple of days. She'll get over it and lay another batch soon.

If you had a male that was compatible to the female, they could spawn together, but it's a bit of a risk. In a small tank the couple will sometimes become so combative that they can cause real damage to each other. Her reaction to the introduced male might be similar to her reaction to her own mirrored reflection.

If you could find out what kind of fish Moby is, or post a picture of her, or a link to a similar fish, I (or somebody else) might be able to give you better help. Different cichlids have different requirements. A 25g tank might not work for a pair of one kind of cichlid, but be perfectly suited for a smaller pair like kribs or dwarf cichlids or even convicts. Even a description might help (color/stripes/body shape).

I hope some of that helps.:ok:

[ysn27]

So much for my effort to hatch MOBI'S eggs, they are probably spoiled by now ... i tried to buy a male GT ( ive just found out that MOBI is also known as Gold Saum or Green Terror or auretius rivalus something ... I did find one GT and named him KIX and tried to let him join MOBI in my TANK...tried to made them mate or hatch the eggs or something ... but instead ... MOBI (My female GT) is tearing / pushing around and trying to kill KIX (My new male GT)into shreds ... and not even mating or something to do with the egss, i think MOBI tries to defend her eggs to all her will and my efforts are useless, anyway ... i try to separate them now coz KIX is really getting some kick ass beating from MOBI and ill just try to gave them time for them to get to know each other soon.Thanks for your reply again, youve been very helpful and it has been very educational for me, i appreciate it ... and all who are willing to share their knowledge about this, its more appreciated.

[ysn27]

forgot to describe MOBI ... she is about 4 inch long now and i do have a pic of her and the male i just bought "KIX" is about 4 inches but smaller than MOBI about half inch ... ive read about GT's and they are truly mean fish at times but when they describe the male ... It is surely refering to MOBI, because he has bright colors and a small hump on his head and is more fiery orange in his dorsal fins ... Are males capable of Laying Eggs ... im getting more confused here ... some loopholes on my research ... am still reading further ...

[jonah]

No way a male is going to lay eggs. The fish might have been treated with hormones before you bought it. That can make the colors artificially bright. An adult male will have a huge hump on his forehead. I think a female may have a small hump. The fins should be long and pointed on a male too. Most cichlid females tend to have shorter, rounded fins.

I don't have much experience with Green Terrors (that's what they're commonly called here). They get pretty good sized. A 4 inch GT is going to get pretty territorial in a 25g tank. I don't think you could keep one for long, let alone 2. I think a 55g would be more appropriate for one GT.

You might ask for some help in the American Cichlids section. Just ask for info on what you'd need to keep a pair of GT's. Sorry I can't be much help on this.