Babies

Question
We have two fish, a firemouth and a pink convict cichlid that kept breeding in our 55 gallon tank mixed with other fish.  We separated them into their own tank set up and once again, they have bred.  Our question is how long do we keep the parents with the babies?  There is at least 100 (if not more...rough count of the ones that were not hiding was about 50-60 with MANY more hiding in the lighthouse in the tank.)  We are trying to keep some of them alive because the last 2-3 times they were all eaten.  Will the mom eat them?  With the dad?  How long should we leave them all in the same tank?  We have packet of food called "first bites", should that be given to them?  Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Heather,
Breeding fish is always observation.  I cannot tell you how long you can keep the fry with the parents.  Some parents are good, some eat the fry.  This is cross breeding, so you will have to find that answer by observing them.  You should start feeding them now that they are free swimming, and feed them 4 times a day.  Water changes should be made everyday to help them stay healthy, and grow faster.  With so many little fish swimming around, ammonia builds up fast, so water changes are important.  Keep in mind that the parents sometimes take the fish into their mouth but do not eat them.  They pick them up this way and put them in another place.  It's all about observation.  If you see one of them eating a baby, then you know it's time to remove one, or both of them.  I'm sorry I couldn't give you the exact time, this is impossible to do with any fish.  
Good Luck
Lynda