discovery of a gbr nest: what's next?

[landon]

Hey guys and girls,

I got home tonight and was stoked to see my 2 German Blue Rams had spawned eggs on a flat rock in my community planted tank.
I'm really excited, but to be honest, I've got no idea what to do next.

The Rams are super protective over the eggs, which is great, but it's a community tank with 5 Zebra Danios, 7 Neons, 4 corrys, a bunch of RCS (way over 50) and the 2 Rams.

I'd love some advice on how to move forward.

[landon]

No luck this time. Found a corry munching on the eggs. Will still appreciate any advice for future spawns though. When can I expect my Rams to spawn again?

[finley_es]

They'll likely spawn again soon, and I wouldn't worry too much about the initial failure. Cichlids, in my experience, tend to need a few attempts before they get it right - even if the parents were isolated, they might have still eaten the eggs.

You've got two main options for future spawns: isolate the Rams or leave them in the community tank. I'd suggest keeping them in the community tank, especially since they've already spawned in there and seem settled. My own tank has had corys, bristlenoses, and discus all breed successfully, and I suspect my rummynoses might have done the same at some point.

The key factors will be your tank's setup and age. You'll want to make sure there are plenty of hiding places for the fry and defensible spots for the Rams to spawn. The age of your tank is also important, as it'll determine the amount of microfauna available for the fry to feed on.

Ultimately, it's also worth considering whether you're prepared to care for the youngsters once they start growing. Twenty to forty extra fish can be a significant bioload, and finding homes for them can be a hassle - especially since they're not particularly rare fish, and not all shops will take them.

[landon]

Thanks finley_es for the advice. My tank's about 5 months old, heavily planted, low tech setup, no CO2. No caves in the tank though. I'll try and get some pics up.

I'd love to get some small fish, would be awesome. Are there any signs I should look out for that a spawn's coming?

Thanks again for the advice.

[finley_es]

Five months may be sufficient, but I think it's worth considering supplementing the fry's diet with infusoria initially, followed by brine shrimp later on. My own tank was almost two years old before I started noticing baby corys, and I didn't vacuum the substrate, just performed regular water changes, which allowed the microfauna to thrive.

A pothos plant's roots can provide excellent cover and a breeding ground for live food. Simply place a few stems in the water, allowing them to drape over the edge, and they'll grow quickly. This will also help remove excess nutrients from the tank, as the plants can access the abundant CO2 in the air.

You can tell when they're in breeding mode if you catch them cleaning a potential spawning site, but don't get your hopes up just yet – they'll likely have a few failed spawnings before they succeed.

[eaglebay]

Adding oak leaves to your tank will also help increase microfauna for the fry. As the leaves break down, infusoria will feed on them, and the fry will then feed on the infusoria. If you're not keen on having large oak leaves floating around, you can cut them into smaller pieces and hide them among the plants.

One thing to keep in mind is that oak leaves will release tannins, which can give the water a yellowish-brown color. But don't worry, tannins are harmless to fish and can even be beneficial. If the color bothers you, you can remove it with carbon in your filter. I personally like the look, but I know some people don't.

[landon]

I've got a potting soil mix with gravel on top for my substrate, and it's got a lot of bark and plant matter in it - my plants are thriving. The mopani driftwood in the tank has stopped leaching tannins now, but I'll definitely keep the oak leaves in mind for future reference.

[landon]

Hey guys, it's happened again - my GBR couple has spawned. This time they seem way more protective over the eggs. I've started by leaving the lights on, but now I'm not sure what to do next. Should I remove the eggs? And if so, how do I do it without stressing them out? Any advice would be great, thanks.

[wingbeat]

I think it's best to leave them be. There's some evidence suggesting that fish need to learn from their parents to become good parents themselves. By removing the eggs, you're essentially breaking that cycle, which might not be ideal for the long-term health of your fish population.

In the case of your German Blue Rams, it's likely they'll figure things out eventually, given the chance. Most cichlids do, after all. They just need a bit of time and peace to get the hang of it.

If you're worried about other fish causing trouble, setting up a separate breeding tank might be a better solution. That way, you can give your pair the space they need to thrive without any distractions.

[landon]

Thanks wingbeat, will keep that in mind. I'll post updates as things progress.

Noticed tonight that when I fed the fish, the GBR's left the nest to feed - seems like a good sign.