The case of the missing fry

[kilroy]

Hi all,

I have had a few small fry go missing from our 5x2x2 Tropheus moorii ndole tank. Just wondering who the most likely suspects would be? I normally separate the females to a maternity tank and let them spit naturally but a few can't wait that long and I have had a mouthful here and there spat in the tank with most disappearing in a few days.

I have 10 adult Tropheus ~5 inches as well as 12 one year old juvies 3-4inches in the tank as well as a 7-8cm bristlenose catfish. There are plenty of hiding spots, and I haven't seen any sort of aggression from the older ndoles. I am suspecting the BN may be getting the poor little buggers while they rest in the middle of the night. Has anyone had experience with this happening before? The fry are probably less than 1cm when they go missing, is it possible a BN that size could eat them?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

Shane

[poxboy]

I keep a few BN in my L. ocellatus fry tank. I have 35 5mm-1cm fry in there and have never had any go missing. Are you sure your tropheus aren't knocking them off?

Bretto.

[kilroy]

I keep a few BN in my L. ocellatus fry tank. I have 35 5mm-1cm fry in there and have never had any go missing. Are you sure your tropheus aren't knocking them off?

Bretto.

Possibly mate, but I haven't seen any aggression or dead fry laying around. I suppose they could eat them?!?!

[TropheusQueen]

I keep a few BN in my L. ocellatus fry tank. I have 35 5mm-1cm fry in there and have never had any go missing. Are you sure your tropheus aren't knocking them off?

Bretto.

Possibly mate, but I haven't seen any aggression or dead fry laying around. I suppose they could eat them?!?!

You bet they could and will although it could also be agression of sorts even among the juvies and the bristlenose will clean up the rest believe me.