I think my Banggai Cardinal laid eggs.

[richdragon32]

I've had my pair for about 3 months now and recently I've been feeding them a lot 2-3 times a day. Today I noticed something weird about the male, his mouth seems to be stuffed with something. I sure hope they're eggs.

For anyone who has experience, does this sight look familiar?

Thanks,

Richard

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

If he is carrying eggs,he will not eat.Mine ate the first 2 batches before going full term.

 

[richdragon32]

Thanks for the reply.

He's definitely not eating. I put some mysis shrimp in the tank, the female gobbles them right away and the male runs to the food, "sniffs" it and ignores it.

 

[April_Sherwood]

Yes, that's how the male looks when he has eggs in his mouth. There's a lot of great info in other threads here posted by other members. Here's a great thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1659511

HTH ...April

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Congrats ,just keep count of the days,and around day 18 start looking for the fry in his mouth.I caught my male at day 20 and he released 19.They will be 2 months old next week.Keep us updated.

 

[richdragon32]

Update

Update

On the 18th day I separated the male from the female into a breeder container. He released 4 babies two days later and 3 of them didn't make it. I think he released them prematurely as the fries still had the yolk sac attached. But I have what appears to be a healthy and active fry. It is very responsive and eats voraciously. It's been about a week and a half and I hope this fry will make it into adulthood.

 

[RedM3]

On the 18th day I separated the male from the female into a breeder container. He released 4 babies two days later and 3 of them didn't make it. I think he released them prematurely as the fries still had the yolk sac attached. But I have what appears to be a healthy and active fry. It is very responsive and eats voraciously. It's been about a week and a half and I hope this fry will make it into adulthood.

I have zero clue how Banggai Cardinal fry are supposed to appear, but I know in the wild, the fry of many freshwater species of game fish (trout, salmon, etc.) still have their yolk sacs attached.

Keep us updated on the progress!