Spawn Size

[fishgirl2002]

Just courious because my stapersii are on their 3rd batch of babies. The first group had 8, the second and 2 and this last group is at 3.

What limits brood size?  

[LittleMousling]

Since you're wondering about stappersi I answered for them (other species so far have had 15-20 generally). 21 in this spawn.

Brood size limits - how many make it out of the shell (food availabilty in the shell - bacteria, etc); how many don't get eaten (parental attitudes); food availability once you know they're there; genetics; experience of the parents; luck; space. Not necessarily in that order!

[sman91wing]

I've found that when I have a couple generations being raised in the tank, the new batches don't do too well.  Whether its from lack of food or overcrowding or whatever, I dunno.  When I removed a whole bunch of the older generations, the next batch was 30+

[belmont0182]

I have that same prob, my latest multi batch was one, the previous was around 15.  my blue occies had the same problem about 3 the last batch around 15 the previous batch...

BTW.  how are those multies doing?  my stapersii are doing great!

[fishgirl2002]

I have 3 stapersii fry from older grenerations, 5 multi fry, 2 adult male and one adult female stapersii in a 20 gal tank. The female is gaurding her shell very well from the rest of the group. In the shell there are 3 fry. I have 26 shells in a 20 gal and other than mom taking 1/2 of the tank there is little territory issues.

Maby I will move all fry to a grow out tank when I move out of the dorm next week.....I just think that in a 3 gal (which is all I have) the multi fry will dominate the stapersii fry.

[Mattf]

My multi broods are usually within two of ten....

[LittleMousling]

Oh! - and privacy. This is often but not always an all-or-nother difference - females who feel threatened won't, one way or another, have fry (won't spawn, eat them, won't protect them, won't "feed" them, etc), but sometimes this can mean a small brood rather than a large one. Going away on vacation is often a very, very good way to get fry.

[Miles44]

My punks had thirty about two or three weeks ago.  Now I'm down to 15.  I think I sucked some up when I was doing a water change   .

[LittleMousling]

Awww. Yeah, punk broods are usually much bigger than the more typical shellies, like 40-50 fry.

[Miles44]

Now I am starting to worry.  I only count 10 fry.  My water quality is perfect.  I feed them brine shrimp, hikari first bites, and daphina.  I wonder what's up.  I don't have problems like this with my other shellies.  Maybe the parents are to blame.  The male is getting upset at the female.  Chases her away when she comes near the fry.  What's up?

[LittleMousling]

They've only spawned once or twice before, right? I'd say give them some time to get the parenting thing down pat. Species tank as I recall, since you moved the Pet cats? Maybe a few dithers would help, if they keep having trouble - something safe with fry, like WCMM.

[Miles44]

I had white clouds in there.  I can't remember why I moved them out.  Hmmm, maybe they were TOO ruff on them.  I don't know.  Anyways, yeah, I think your right.  I also just started some bbs so maybe that will help.  And yeah only once before.  And that is the tank that has the pet. cats.  We shale see what happens.  Thanks.

[LittleMousling]

Also, could your filter be a suspect?

[Miles44]

Hmmm, I don't think so.  The intake tube is on the other side of the tank from where they usually hang out.  But now that you said that I will check it out.  Thanks.

Also my boulengeri fry are all out of the shell today.  There must be between 40 and 50 fry there.  So many, hard to count.

[Didgeridoo]

My small brevis pair, female Ikola, male Ruziba, had about 25 fry or so. Lots of cuties all over the bottom near their shell. I'm very interested to see what the fry will colour up like! I'll be sure to post pics of them when they start showing adult coloration!  

Cheers,
Nick