Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 135

I currently have a pair who has been guarding their
young for over 4 weeks post hatching and they
show no signs of stopping this behaviour. The fry
are not dwindling in number either, in fact they
have only reduced as I have stolen some to raise
separately. I am interested to see for how much
longer the parents will protect their young’; they
are currently showing signs of wanting to spawn
again so I suspect that it will not be for much long-
er. Whatever happens it has been nice to see them
raise their young in a more natural manner in a
tank befitting their size and catering for their
needs. If you have some space to spare give these
fish a try as you should find them as rewarding as I
have.
spawning territory against all comers which is why
they need space if they are to be kept in a com-
munity setting. My male will chase for about 4
feet before he gives up to return to his guarding
duties and so far I have had no fish damaged by
the defensive parents. The eggs hatch after ap-
proximately 2 days and 79C and at this point the
fry are about ¼ inch in length. After 5 days they
become free swimming and swarm around the
parents around the parents looking for food. They
will peck the substrate and décor eating the mi-
nute morsels which are found there and I have
also found that the parents will stir up the sub-
strate for the young alongside chewing and
spitting out their own food. I have found that ad-
ditional feeding is not necessary in a mature
aquarium and have had fry grow quickly to an
inch in length (4 weeks) on this diet alone. In my
experience Black Belt parents are excellent.
Vieja maculicauda, Male
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