Texas Cichlid Fry

Question
QUESTION: I have had a pair of Blue Texas cichlids for about 4 months, and they have had their first batch of fry.  I removed the fry form the tank because I had other fish in the tank and I was afraid they would eat them. So I got the rock which had their eggs on it and moved it to a 10 gallon tank.  Well all the fish have hatched about 3 weeks ago.  However, they are not getting very big, the mother was able to keep a couple of her babies in the large tank and they are WAY bigger than the ones in the 10 gallon tank. I am doing something wrong? and I was also wondering about water changes in the fry tank, is it okay to change their water and how often should I be doing that? I guess I am acting like a nervous mother since this is the FIRST time any of my fish have had fry. I keep getting conflicting answers about things like water changes and how often I should be feeding them per day. If you could help it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mary

ANSWER: Hi Mary,
 The bottom line is that you cannot be as good a mother to cichlid fry as a mother cichlid can be.  That is why the fry with her are growing much faster.  That doesn't mean you cannot try. So, yes, you can do lots of water changes, the more the merrier with fry.  If possible, change a little (25%) of the water everyday.  If you can feed them a couple of times a day, that would also help them along.  It is better to feed them a little at a time, many times, than a lot at once.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can I place the fry back in with the mother or father? I took the mother and father and put them in a different tank (in case they do this again) or will they eat them? I wish I would have just left them in with the mother and father and then I would not have to worry about it.

Answer
Hi Mary,
  You can try reintroducing them, but I don't know if the parents will accept them.  They probably will, but I cannot guarantee that. Let me
know what happens.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>