Kribs fry are about 6 weeks old now, been doing a lot of digging but found heaps of conflicting info. Some folks reckon the female keeps the male away from the fry, others say they share the parenting duties. I've come across some saying you need to remove the fry ASAP as the male will start bullying the female to get her to breed again, while others claim that's not the case. From what I've seen so far, both my Kribs have been looking after the fry and now they're just keeping an eye on them as they swim freely.
They've started prepping a cave again, so I'm guessing another batch of eggs is on the way - a local fish store is keen to take them when they're ready, and I've got another tank set up for them, or they can just stay where they are.
raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
Re: raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
It's a ticking time bomb, and it can escalate rapidly - we're talking a matter of days, not weeks. Once the fry hit that 6-7 week mark, the parents can turn on them in an instant, viewing them as a threat to their next brood. I've been there, done that, and it's a heartbreaking experience - coming home to find 30 or 40 fry vanished into thin air.
In my experience with larger tanks - we're talking 4-foot jungles, not your average home aquarium - I've managed to raise a handful of fry to maturity. But even in the wild, these cichlids have a peculiar relationship with their juveniles - they'll tolerate them in their territory, but not near their nests. From the parents' perspective, it makes sense; those juveniles will devour their next brood if given the chance. It's a harsh reality, especially when you consider that some of the most devoted parents can become merciless predators as their young grow.
I agree with your observation about the parents' care, and I think you're onto something when you say the female might be the one calling the shots. The Pelvicachromis genus is known for its dominant females, and they can be quite ruthless when it comes to defending their territory and their next brood. She's the one who decides when the fry have become a threat, and trust me, her decisiveness can be unsettling.
In my experience with larger tanks - we're talking 4-foot jungles, not your average home aquarium - I've managed to raise a handful of fry to maturity. But even in the wild, these cichlids have a peculiar relationship with their juveniles - they'll tolerate them in their territory, but not near their nests. From the parents' perspective, it makes sense; those juveniles will devour their next brood if given the chance. It's a harsh reality, especially when you consider that some of the most devoted parents can become merciless predators as their young grow.
I agree with your observation about the parents' care, and I think you're onto something when you say the female might be the one calling the shots. The Pelvicachromis genus is known for its dominant females, and they can be quite ruthless when it comes to defending their territory and their next brood. She's the one who decides when the fry have become a threat, and trust me, her decisiveness can be unsettling.
Re: raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
It's not a guarantee they'll turn on their young with a new spawn. I've had instances where a pair, even in smaller tanks, successfully raised two consecutive broods together. However, for their survival to be certain, removal is recommended.
Re: raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
Well, it seems like I won't be getting out of this one after all. Time to roll up the sleeves tonight and get to work. Wife's got a hospital date on Friday, so I'd better make the most of my time.
I'm curious though, is the male a common Krib? The markings seem a bit off to me, but I'm no expert.
I'm curious though, is the male a common Krib? The markings seem a bit off to me, but I'm no expert.
Re: raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
Yes, common krib, P. pulcher. The markings might look different, but that's just variation.
In a tank that's becoming a jungle, if the fry are out of sight, doing their own thing, there's less chance of them being seen as a threat by the parents. But that's not always the case, and I've seen it go either way.
In a tank that's becoming a jungle, if the fry are out of sight, doing their own thing, there's less chance of them being seen as a threat by the parents. But that's not always the case, and I've seen it go either way.
Re: raising kribensis fry: long-term care and development
He's quite the attractive pulcher. I recall having a smaller P kribensis successfully raise two batches simultaneously, but I've never experienced that with pulcher despite numerous broods. Appreciate the insight, thanks.