Myrnae Spawn

[Mikeinco]

Looks like I'm about to be a Papa. My Myrnae pair have spawned and I am certain that I will have fry in the next week. I'm super excited because the species has always been dear to me. I do have a couple questions. The 55 gallon tank also has a small group of Ivanacara that the Myrnae just seem to leave alone and they inhabit one side of the tank. Should I remove them? Also the tank has an Xp2 and should I cover the intake with some mesh so the fry don't get sucked up? I could just take it off all together because I also have a sponge filter on the tank as well. Just want to make sure this actually happens and I am able to keep the fry.

[Alan Rollings]

Congratulations.
Hope to see some of the young for sale at the ACA in July

Alan

[Matt Quinn]

I found that my myrnae pair became quite aggressive when they bred. They killed some pretty robust goodeids (Ilyodon) last time they spawned. I'd fear for the other fish, especially if they're smaller.

What were the triggers for your pair? Despite lots of good food, mine only seemed to spawn once or twice per year, unlike a lot of the other Cryptoheros...

Matt

[chc]

Congrats! Great species to keep -- even better to spawn!

If it were me, I'd just put a coarse sponge over the intake of the canister. I think Hydro-Sponge still makes a specific product for that too (if you don't want to DIY).

[Mikeinco]

I found that my myrnae pair became quite aggressive when they bred. They killed some pretty robust goodeids (Ilyodon) last time they spawned. I'd fear for the other fish, especially if they're smaller.

What were the triggers for your pair? Despite lots of good food, mine only seemed to spawn once or twice per year, unlike a lot of the other Cryptoheros...

Matt

The Ivanacara are a little smaller so I am slightly worried too. The Myrnae don't even mess with them as long as they stay on their side of the tank and they do seem fine with this arrangement. I'm going to watch them for the next few days just to make sure. I don't know if the driftwood has anything to do with it but thats the only thing new to this tank and I really just put it in to decorate. The Myrnae seem quite taken with the driftwood and thats where they are hanging out.

[chc]

Would love to see pics. Myrnae might be the perfect cichlid!

[Mikeinco]

Well they have fry. Looks like about a hundred or so from what I can see. Really small. OK guys i need some advice. I left the Ivanacara in the tank and the situation remains the same. The Ivanacara are on one side while the Myrnae are on the other side with the babies. Should I attempt to remove the Ivanacara? They seem to be respecting the Myrnae pairs privacy but I'd sure hate to see the fry get eaten. This is so cool and I'm going to take some pics this evening. I can't believe I have spawned Myrnae. Been trying off and on for years.

[Mikeinco]

Well I removed the Ivanacara from the tank and now I just need to cover the intake on the XP2 or just disconnect it all together. Should be fine after that.

[Mikeinco]

Here are a few pics.

[chc]

Nice looking pair! Bringing any fry to the convention?

[Mikeinco]

I'm planning to bring some Myrnae and Notatus fry so far and still hoping for Pearsi fry. Think they might finally be getting ready.

[N. brichardi]

NIce pair and fry. BTW you have a beautiful tank.

[Dean Hougen]

Excellent! Congratulations.


Dean

[Mikeinco]

Thanks Dean, I think i can now register the Myrnae in the CARES section. I only want to do this when i actually have fry to offer. Next is my Carnarensis hopefully and maybe even my Polleni small spot.