I've got babies!

African Cichlids that is. My tank is a 55 gallon with 20 Malawi Cichlids in it.
1.4 Pseudotropheus Sp.Acei
1.4 Labidochromis Caeruleus Electric Yellow
1.4 Pseudotropheus socolofi Snow White
1.4 Labidochromis sp. Yellow Fin Mbamba

I've had it up and running for some time now and have noticed females holding since just about the beginning. But have not seen any babies till recently. I just figured the strong will survive kind of thing. Well, we noticed our first one about a week ago. It's growing like a weed. We think it's a Yellow Fin Mbamba baby.
Then yesterday I noticed this wee tiny one hiding. I was like cool. It's looking like it is an Electric Yellow.
And then today while feeding I saw another one that is about in between the size of the first two. Thinking it's a Yellow Fin Mbamba as well.
So I'm not sure why all of a sudden we are getting babies that actually seem to be making it. But it's kind of cool. Of course if they make it to adult size I'll need to start up another tank. :O

Here is a picture of the biggest baby so far. Sorry it's kind of blurry.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k1...s517/baby2.jpg

Just wanted to share! Thanks!

Very nice.....The one in the picture looks like he will definantly be a survivor. Probably was one of the more dominant of the fry, and got the most food.
I never did get all that crazy about mouthbrooders, but very fun to read about. I was tempted more than once to pick up some females that were holding fry at the petstore, but it just seemed like a lot of work. It could be that I just didn't like the fact that I could not watch the fry develop too. Not really sure what it was. I have kept my fair share of malawi and tanganyikans, just never really got real interested in breeding them.

Cool :gj:

That's cool I too have Cichlids I had a chipokae have 11 babies in May and I have a Red Zebra that is holding right now! I'm about to move her into a ten gallon so that when she releases the babies they won't get eaten!

I wouldn't move her, she may stress out and just swallow. There are a few web sites that you can find info on though. If you are really worried about babies getting eaten, it may just be safer to strip them from her. It is pretty common with people who keep african cichlids.
Maybe that's why I never got into breeding them.

I know some say not to move them and I don't have much experince but I moved both of my females and they did just fine! Stripping seems like it would be more stressful for her than moving her but that's just my observation I haven't tried it.

Oh I also after she released kept her seperated so she could have some time to recoup and get some food before putting her back in the main tank.

Sounds like you have all under control. Good job.

It is all about what you feel comfortable with. There are some people on cichlid forums that would separate fry from parents right off the bat, for me, unless I feel that the parents are a threat to the offspring, I leave them be.
I used to actually work with a lady that bred angel fish, she would use a turkey baster to take the eggs from the parents.

Wow that's a little intense for me lol