Spawning? Help?

[Dow]

Okay, so, upon watching her, today, I noticed that she keeps scratching her head on the rocks. None of the other fish are doing that, so I've ruled out any tank problems. Is she doing this because the eggs are irritating her or is it something more serious?

[TROPHS4LIFE]

Then, I'm good. I'm honestly just glad I'm doing something right. My 10g crashed the other night and everyone's got fin rot so this is just a little thing to make me realilze, "Hey, I'm doing something right."

Although, I might need to strip her because she's already thin as it is.

good call,if its her first time,she might not hold full term anyways,and i have a few trophs that refuse to spit,which i also have to strip,cause they'd starve them selfs,if she's lookin real weak and thin,maybe best to go in fairly soon...........tumble in the same tank,the same water the eggs would be housed in her mouth in............keep us posted,your doing fine...........

[Dow]

Then, I'm good. I'm honestly just glad I'm doing something right. My 10g crashed the other night and everyone's got fin rot so this is just a little thing to make me realilze, "Hey, I'm doing something right."

Although, I might need to strip her because she's already thin as it is.

[TROPHS4LIFE]

Honestly, until I get a bit more experienced, I'm not sure I'd mind if they were mixed but the only other mature fish I have in there are labs and a mutt female that I was given. All others are the A. Maleri.

if all the peacocks are the same them your good,the labs,mutt dont matter,and even if you wanted to see what they look like,giver,just dont sell them too anyone....................good luck

[Dow]

Honestly, until I get a bit more experienced, I'm not sure I'd mind if they were mixed but the only other mature fish I have in there are labs and a mutt female that I was given. All others are the A. Maleri.

[TROPHS4LIFE]

congrats on the spawn,but reading back you wrote"i have a few peacocks in there",are they all the same variant?,just would want too see someone get all excited,if they were cross bred peacocks..............

[Dow]

*Does happy dance* SHe's holding! THe smaller is holding! Does anyone have an egg tumbler I could borrow, just in case?

[armthehomeless]

Johanni can be seom mean fish! They are much more aggressive than peacocks IME.

[Dow]

Feh, silly fish. I even had the tank set up with water and gravel from my newt tank -__-... I want to get a Johanni or however it's spelled but I've heard they're worse than Demasoni.... I just don't know if that's a good idea currently, when almost every one of my fish is claiming territory

[imagirlgeek]

Isn't that how it always goes?! When you aren't ready, they are...once you get prepared, they stop. I think they like playing games with us.

[Dow]

He's oddly not going after anyone anymore. He's back to his docile ways. :/ Strange. I think he'll start up again soon. I'v rearranged the tank to put it so that there's more space for him to claim on the bottom. :)

[Dow]

I definately will! Thank you all so much!

[imagirlgeek]

Keep us posted!

[Dow]

Thank you for that. I don't think I'll strip her unless necessary, I'd like to keep the fry or some of them. Im' going to put her in the ten gallon in a few weeks, if I can get a hood and filter. If not, holey tupperware!

[imagirlgeek]

First, let me go on the record saying that I personally wouldn't strip unless necessary, but it's your decision. There are quite a few methods, but here are the basics...

1. While holding the female, gently open her mouth using your fingernail (some people use a pen cap or q-tip).
2. Dip her head into the water and the fry generally fall/swim out of her mouth.

Obviously this is stressful for the fish, and you risk stripping too soon and would need an egg tumbler to finish the job she was doing. But, to be fair, sometimes it is in the best interest of the female to strip. If she is becoming to emaciated and is weakening, getting the fry out for her will allow her to get back with the group and start eating again.