graceless Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Ok, so for a few days now i had assumed that one of my Neolamprologus pulcher "daffodil" had died as i hadn't been able to see her. even at feeding time, there was no sign of her. i have since found that she's taken up residence in a rock cave. she sits there all day every day with her head at the entrance and twice now i've seen her come out to grab a bite of food, then rush straight back. on one of the occassions that she left the cave, a second fish came up and went into the cave, then vacated again when she came back. i'm thinking 2 things, but to be honest don't know anything about these fish, so i'm not sure. i'm thinking a) she's guarding eggs, or b) she's really sick and dying! can someone please help me in determing what's going on? Thanks Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Congratulations dude you have baby pulchers, my two do the same thing all day, just sit there with their heads looking out.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graceless Posted May 25, 2004 Author Share Posted May 25, 2004 hey mick, are you serious? i had a look in there wit a torch, but only saw like 1mm things that could have just been dirt in the tank! then i moved something in the tank, and the female left the den, and at this point has not returned! if it is babies - what should i do?!?!?! the tank is a 2 ft setup, with 4 pulchers all together in it only. thanks Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 hey Grace, Well if that was my dafodils that would be the case.. they can spend weeks in the pot/cave whatever before they actaually lay eggs.. are they over 5cm? when Daffodils lay eggs usually it is on the roof of a cave, and after the pale green eggs hatch the fry are small about 4mm long, and depending on the size and experience of the couple there might be anywere from 15-60 eggs.. i find anyother fish in th etank otehr than th epair will get beaten up.. Are the particular fish defending this cave or not?. this will be a good indication of the events that are occuring.. If its not breeding behaviour it might be a fear thing always hiding....that is., if there are babies usually pulchers are great parents but the others may eat the fry..you can feed them baby brine shrimp. if therewas fry I would assume that she would go back into the cave. if you PM your e-mail addy to me I have a pic you might find intersesting.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graceless Posted May 26, 2004 Author Share Posted May 26, 2004 hey Grace, Well if that was my dafodils that would be the case.. they can spend weeks in the pot/cave whatever before they actaually lay eggs.. are they over 5cm? when Daffodils lay eggs usually it is on the roof of a cave, and after the pale green eggs hatch the fry are small about 4mm long, and depending on the size and experience of the couple there might be anywere from 15-60 eggs.. i find anyother fish in th etank otehr than th epair will get beaten up.. Are the particular fish defending this cave or not?. this will be a good indication of the events that are occuring.. If its not breeding behaviour it might be a fear thing always hiding....that is. Mick, thanks for your comment. it is definantly the same 2 fish hanging out at that end of the tank. the other two stay at the other end. i move the rock to have a better look, and she has gone back to it, but i haven't seen any babies really. damn, maybe i got my hopes up! how long does it usually take before the babies leave the den? also, what are you using for them to breed in? they are approximately 5cm head to end of tail, maybe a little bigger. thanks again, Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Grace it sounds like you definetly have a pair, just wait and leave em alone if they are going to breed they will, dont get your hopes up , just be happy if it happens, usually within 7-12 days the fry will emerge just swimming by 14days they can swimm pretty good. I use a small 12cm terracotta pot for em they love it, and my two are about 10cm each!!. I turn the pot upside down and there is a bit brocken out on the rim so they have access. Again i have a pic if you have a e-mail addy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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