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Dempsey Fry: Free swimming how long after hatching?

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by littledane, Mar 20, 2009.

  1. littledane

    littledane Thread Starter Member

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    how long after fry hatch should they be free swimming? ive seperated my dempsey fry from the parents so hopefully they wont die this time.
     
    littledane, Mar 20, 2009
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  2. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: fry question

    I am not sure about Dempseys.... Cichlids in General on average 2-3 days as an egg 3-5 days as "wigglers" and free swimming is the next stage...

    It also depends on water temps as warmer waters hatch and develop faster... BUT you are looking at about 5-8 days they should be free swimming (although not all may be good at swimming and will rest on the bottom and on plants a lot for another 4 days or so...)
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 20, 2009
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  3. littledane

    littledane Thread Starter Member

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    Re: fry question

    ok thanks. they hatched wed. ive got the water temp set at about 80. ive bought some fry food. when should im start feeding them?
     
    littledane, Mar 20, 2009
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  4. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: fry question

    Sounds good to me (again I am no expert on Jack Dempseys!) ;)

    They should wiggle for another day or 2 and then you will start to see them little by little break off and attempt to swim....
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 20, 2009
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  5. littledane

    littledane Thread Starter Member

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    Re: fry question

    ive got swimmers :). soon i'll have some dempseys to give away if anyone wants any.
     
    littledane, Mar 22, 2009
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  6. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: fry question

    Dont get hasty! A lot can go wrong and you may be shocked at how few survive! I wish you luck though that you can get them up to a sellable size!
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 22, 2009
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  7. littledane

    littledane Thread Starter Member

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    Re: fry question

    yeah i know. ive already lost about half of the fry that hatched.
     
    littledane, Mar 22, 2009
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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: fry question

    congrats on the jacks, as Lemon said...sadly enough if the fry are kept in an inhabited tank many will be lost. I always loved my Jack when I had him!

    Do you have the common or "electric" ones littledane?

    If ya get lucky and they make it I'd love to see some photos if possible :)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 22, 2009
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  9. littledane

    littledane Thread Starter Member

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    Re: fry question

    I have the common jacks. They are in the tank with the parents. Im going to move them to another tank when they get about an inch.
     
    littledane, Mar 23, 2009
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