Banggai Cardinal "carrying"

[ssavader]

My male Cardinal fish has been carrying a brood in his mouth for close to two weeks. I would like to try to save the brood and get them into an in-tank breeding container with circulation. How do I know when the brood is ready to be "harvested" and what technique can I use to get the babies safely from his mouth?

 

[sullyfish]

the rule is 4 weeks should be about right, however the last few times 4 weeks was a bit early for mine and 5 weeks was better. I just tell people after the 4 week period watch the male's mouth closely and if they are ready you should be able to see the fry moving in his mouth, then they are ready to collect.
As far as collecting I just take a net and catch the male, bring it close to surface and gently wiggle the net and the male should spit them out in the net for easy collecting. I usually get around 2 dozen each time.
as you stated put the fry in a breeder net/box in tank and feed them live baby brine shrimp and after a month or so wean them on frozen. Good Luck !

 

[Wolverine]

As mentioned, 4 weeks is usually about right. Sometimes catching the male can be tough, since they tend to hide a bit more and be more tentative while carrying. Ours usually released at night, so we'd get up the next day and find 20-30 fry hiding around the tank.

 

[ssavader]

thank you!