Tropical Fish Forums

[mlb1232000]

I just had my first spawn of multis in February and, of the dozen or so fry that I was able to confirm existed, only two or three now survive. I actually witnessed the mother gulp down one of the fry when it darted up from the shell to grab some food out of the water. While it is possible that others still survive, I've not seen any others than the two or three for over a week.

Is this just a kneejerk reaction that the new mother can't help? I've read quite a bit online that they will eat their fry and that they won't eat their fry. So there's little agreement on the topic.

Now that the second spawn should have hatched (haven't seen them yet), I'm just curious to see if anyone has encountered the same and whether this continues.

10-gallon tank
5 adult multis, 4 have staked out their territory, one hides behind one of the sponge filters
snails - MTS, small pond, and Ramshorns
small grain cichlid sand bottom
72 shells, mostly whale-eye
two sponge filters, powerhead-driven
2.6 wpg lighting (probably too much light - used to be a planted tank once upon a time)
78 degrees
7.8 pH
weekly 10-15% water changes
other parameters OK, nitrates < 10ppm
feeding Omega One Cichlid Flakes and Spectrum Cichlid Formula (the little ones) -- occasional eyedroppers of First Bites soaked in water for the fry

[diademhill]

Five adults is a lot in a ten gallon tank, Can you put a couple of rocks to break sight lines?

[mlb1232000]

Yeah, can do. Will try that an see. Thanks