How to Strip Female African Cichlids with Fry After Care [HD]

[DreweDeBoer]

hey Thanks for the video, I'm gonna check out all your vids to learn more. I came home today and was strange to see there were egg sacks all over my fish tank. I have caught 6 fry's so far. and put them in a divider. I hope you have vids on how to care for them and what to feed. My cichlids are pretty large. and the previous owner never had them bread before, i guess im doing something right lol

[DEVANSHHH]

i have peacock fries 2 day old, i added few pieces of gravel to jump start nitrogen cycle, should i remove them? i see uneaten food on bottom of bucket should i manually clean the bottom? is so how?

[toyomica]

And abut the eggs i didnt understand you....will they live or not?

[toyomica]

how should the tempreture be for little fry's?

[fabihanski]

h i was wundering if any mabuna malawi cichlids can be kept in a 33 gallon fluval roma i was thinking to start a mabuna tank scince as you know english tap water is hard alkaline

[bolly12345]

@fabihanski 150 litres is a tad on the small side, can you get a bigger tank? 200L +?

[fabihanski]

@bolly12345 i might try in the future but i will just stay with tetras &plants for now:)

[TheSourdatx]

Hey Bolly, when's part 2 coming out? One thing I'd like to ask is if there is a general age that most mbuna are old enough to breed or how to tell? Great video man and I appreciate the dedicated time to make to make this videos to try to help us all out.

[bolly12345]

@TheSourdatx Hi, Thanks. Part 2 is the series on their growth which can be found on my channel's playlists

[bolly12345]

@34SkiLLz14Luck Hi there, at around 7-10 days the eggs will start to show signs of being fry. Her throat will be darker in colour also.

[34SkiLLz14Luck]

I have a yellow electric holding at the moment, i am unsure how long she has been holding. i believe she is nearing day 5-7, What can i look for, or any tale tale signs that she is ready to spit if i am unsure how long they have been holding? i have been looking in her mouth and i still see eggs. This is my first ever preg fish and i currently have removed her and placed her into her own 20 gallon so the other fish dont bother her. any suggestions?

[gmsg1981]

Hi my cichlids are shimmering and I am wondering whether you think it is worth putting the pair in another tank or just leaving them in the original tank with the other fish. The male is getting aggressive. How long does the egg laying last and the dancing? Thanks.

[bolly12345]

@gmsg1981 Keep them in their normal tank and when the breeding is finished and if the male is being overly aggressive I would move the holding female in to another tank. The breeding act can last hours

[rexlinkfish]

hey do you know how you would strip fry from central american cichlids i have heard people syphon them out but i dont know how that works if you know it would help greatly:)

[bolly12345]

@rexlinkfish A soft rubber tube might used for this attached to a syringe - sucking them up the tube then squirted in to the fry tank

[31jayb]

a cichlid dealer in my area uses plastic syringe and pushes water through the gills and force the fry out. Your opinion on whether or not this is safe/harmful?

[bolly12345]

@31jayb Everyone has different methods/some work better for others. IMO forcing the fry out isn't the best way especially they way you mentioned :(

[SuperMannyMann]

Great video. I have an african whos about to spit babies...i put her in a 20 gallon by herself, but it has gravel and all i have is a powerhead sponge filter. After veiwing ur vid, ill be removing all gravel, however, is the powerhead safe for the fry???? Thanks.

[bolly12345]

@SuperMannyMann You can make the powerheads intake safe by covering it with ladies tights :)

[MrToony1]

Great vid man. Ive had yellow labs for about a 2 years now. They have been breeding for a while but i could never find the fry. Changed the rockwork and added more rock and now i have 3 little fry swimming around. Its very cool. Keep up the good work. And Thanks

[bolly12345]

@MrToony1 Thank you, seeing fry in the rock work is always exiting :)

[LiiveRun]

Did anyone else see the Electric Blue Cichlid chasing the other around in the background?

[VicSayers]

Graet vid, I have watched a few of your vids, you have great passion and a joy to watch.

[bolly12345]

@VicSayers Thanks for nice comments you've left on a few of my videos I really appreciate it. Also thank you for subscribing.

[TheCoolPickles]

Hi, just thought i would tell you a story about my convicts, if you look at my video you will see i have a small rtc, big oscars, severum, angel fish and convicts in my tank, and i saw this morning fry swimming around! how did they not get eaten? this is the first time and ive saved about 28 :)

[barwanah]

Thnx alot marc. bolly12345. for your great videos i watch most of them and i really found all what i need in this hobby ..before 2 mounth i have 3 failed trail with breeding my mbuna (1-egg was not filterize 2,3- swallow the eggs) today i have succeeded in striping my red zebra female and got 36 fry :) i hope i can raise them all.....Thumbs UP :)

[crazy77iii]

And PS, the reason that you want water moving over any fry with an egg sake is to run oxygenated water over the egg sake... There are vessels that transfer oxygen from the egg membrane to the vessels until their gills are functional enough to perform this exchange... Cool Vid though!

[crazy77iii]

It's much easier to take a Paperclip and bend it to resemble a "L" with both ends still in their "U" shape. You simple insert the paperclip in her mouth paralelle to her mouth and then twist 90* once in and it opens her mouth and then she spit them all out at once instead of letting her go over and over...

[SuperSwead]

and i subbed u

[SuperSwead]

thank u bolly12345 and are african cichilds a breed of cichilds or are there many different breeds of african cichilds ?

[SuperSwead]

are these fish u breeding saltwater or tropical

[bolly12345]

@SuperSwead Hi these fish are from Lake Malawi (Africa) classed as warm water fish (tropical).

[131j13s3y]

hi,just regarding your water changes,do you treat yr water for chlorine first?

[bolly12345]

@131j13s3y Hi, I tend not just in case the person buying the fry doesn't treat their water. Basically I make them real hardy before I sell them.

[taijamesglasson]

awesome vid man, keep it up !



[RadeKing1]

he budy thx i did it :D and there cam about 13 out :P

but they still have something on thery budy like a egg or so is that normaly??

pls replay me

THX :D

[bolly12345]

@RadeKing1 Thats called an egg sack

[RadeKing1]

@bolly12345 sry there came about 26 out :P

ok this egg sack is that normal?

they look really happy :)

[bolly12345]

@RadeKing1 yep its normal the sack should disappear in about 5 days depending when you stripped the fry

[RadeKing1]

@bolly12345 oh they broke out and i think they were eaten -_- just 7 survied

thanks

[niccaninu]

hellow how do i know if my cichlids are pregnant? great video !!!

[callofdutykings1004]

@bolly12345 I think you said this in the video but if you dont have another tank and they breed how would you keep the fry alive?

[FishBoyLover]

Hey thanks can't wait to get my new cichlids next month and breed them :)

[trumpstheyid]

great thank`s very helpfull,now I can try & strip my 2 chisumulae. gooner18

[midmid80]

how you can tell from female and male

[kevleisa]

thanks for posting hope to get my mbuna to produce fry your vids are so helpful thank again regards kev

[JACOBiiTE]

wow that's amazing, never seen that b4, thumbs up.

[bolly12345]

@JACOBiiTE Thank you for the thumbs up

[paducahFishFan]

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to share this info.

[bolly12345]

@paducahFishFan No problem, thank you for the nice comment

[redC16]

Excellent video mate. I didn't realise at the time but if you listen to one of my videos you can hear one of your videos playing in the background lol

[bolly12345]

@redC16 haha that's very weird :)

[QSA10]

hi

[OGrudedog1212]

Just a tip that i use is as soon as i see a female holding i will write the date on the fish tank so i will know when to pull her out.

[fishpoolandxbox]

Your video gave me the last few pointers i needed to strip my first acei. Successfully stripped around 30 fry. Great video thanks.

[bolly12345]

@fishpoolandxbox Brilliant glad I could help you out

[xxMiltonpowerxx]

thanks m8..

[buckyai]

the eggs where she layed disappear some time last night or early today(right now 7:41pm)

question is, when do i strip the fish? i'm freaking out coz this is my first time....please advise. thank you!

[NasserHamedi]

@buckyai She needs to chew on the eggs for a while :)

[1066Sussex]

Hi m8 some good tips.. I strip my fish in a small Tupperware lunch box lol if you drop em they are easier to re-catch so gives the fish less stress...

[bolly12345]

@1066Sussex Yeah I normally you a big plastic bowl. The glass tank was just for the video:)

[teddybearsfor2]

teddybearsfor2 I AM VERY PLEASE WITH WHAT IHAVE SEEN AS I HAVE KEPT

THESE FISH FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS NOW AND IT IS NICE TO SEE SOME ONE

GIVING OUT ADVISE ON THESE ONE DERFOUL FISH

[bolly12345]

@teddybearsfor2 thank you for the kind comment

[Geckokid1234]

Also...ok i have. 55 gal tank and i have a green terror, jewel cichilid, and two african cichilids...do u think i still might be able to breed my africans??? And do u think i could get more african cichilids...plzzzzzz answer me. Thanks

[bolly12345]

@Geckokid1234 Personally I would remove the green terror and Jewel Cichlid - they require a different diet to African Cichlids. Then you'll be able to add more Pairs/Trios/Quads/Groups.

To breed you need higher female numbers to male. Very good water parameters / a varied diet suitable for their dietary requirements. 50% water change every week.

[Geckokid1234]

Hey can u tell me what i would need to do to breed these fish plz...thnx

[95mnbvcxz95]

Love this vid

[iJacksFishTanks]

hey mark can u please help me make a intro similar to yours?

[rishi971001]

okay thanks

my female is so fast and when ever I dangle a net in she swims straight into the rocks

thanks for all your help and tips about this

cross fingers my fish has lots of babies :) thanks

[rishi971001]

oh my gosh

yeah her that area looks really big now

just to make sure

does the female eat food while there in her mouth

and how do you know when to try and strip her

[bolly12345]

@rishi971001 Hi the females can sometimes also takes small bits of food when holding.

I tend to strip them around 20-21days but if its there first time holding I let them spit naturally

[guitarista0]

@bolly12345 After stripping a peacock cichlid, when will they more likely spawn again. I mean is it only weeks or months?

[bolly12345]

@guitarista0 Hi there, Check out my latest video I answered your question you in boxed me

[rishi971001]

thanks for the help but i don't know whether my cichlid is holding them now or not how do i know whether it is or not?

thanks 

[bolly12345]

@rishi971001 there should be a bulge in the throat area. Have a look and let me know :)

[rccars4LiFE]

how many gallons do you reccomend for my red zebra fry? Btw Great vid!

[bolly12345]

@rccars4LiFE Hi, a 10 gallon tank will be ok for them up to 2cm then double the gallons

[lilwaky1]

That makes a lot of sense. Actually, they've been through plenty of stress lately...being moved to a larger tank, the addition of 6 larger cichlids, the rocks being rearranged a couple of times...so I'm amazed that they're still holding them. Thanks for the great advice! By the way, I really liked your video...very informative :)

[bolly12345]

@lilwaky1 Thank you, I'm glad you liked the video. I have loads of other videos on my channel check them out if you like ;) nice speaking to you.

[lilwaky1]

I have two yellow labs holding for their first time and I was going to try stripping them...until I saw your video. Why do you say I should let them spit the fry into the main tank the first time?

[bolly12345]

@lilwaky1 Hi, you caught me answering questions on my videos. This is only my opinion I think its best that they hold full term and release the fry naturally first time. I think it decreases the chances of them swollowing their fry in the future if u get what Im trying to say.

[natesch2005]

What's the song you use for your video intro and closing?

[sclb45]

Hey i have an important question. when should i strip my cichlid, i have heard after 11 days of holding and some say even up to 30. when is to early to strip the cichlid?

[bolly12345]

@sclb45 around 21 days :)

[yoshagger]

Great video, It is very helpful and well done. I am just starting to breed and have 3 batches in my main tank. We will see how many survive!

[bolly12345]

@yoshagger Thank you and keep me updated

[bolly12345]

@ESMC2009 Thank you! Your comment means a lot

[ricofish100]

wat size tank is that fry tank

[iacoob11]

Great video, really enjoyed watching it. It's the most informative i've seen on this too. Really great job, can't wait to see more videos!

[bolly12345]

@iacoob11 Hey thanks! It's nice seeing new people commenting on my videos. Check out my channel I've got loads of new videos since this one :)

[EkoRomantiko7]

ok well i have16 jewels in a 40, 6 red frontosas in a 80g, and 10 demasonis and 10 flavus in another 40. can u tell me about those breeds? and they are all about 2 inches or smaller.

[EkoRomantiko7]

how big(in length) do my cichlids have to be in order to start breeding? and exactly do i know that she is holding?

[bolly12345]

@EkoRomantiko7 It's hard to give you an exact as all the species will breed at different sizes. You will not the female holding (her throat will be swollen likes she's taken a big gulp of air). Hope that helps.

[spektater]

is that a 3d background bro?

[bolly12345]

@spektater Sure is buddy, if you go on my channel and have a look at the 3D background Reviews :)

[SkullSayWhat11]

great Vid and Tank

[bolly12345]

@SkullSayWhat11 Thank you!

[HobbyKing1000]

sorry for all the questions, but i saw in ur big tank that you keep mbuna cichlids and peacocks toghether i was just wandering if im right?

[bolly12345]

@HobbyKing1000 Yes I did in my old 150 tank. :) not the big tank in this video, it's just Mbuna.

[HobbyKing1000]

@bolly12345 because when i get a bigger tank im gona get some peacocks

[bolly12345]

@HobbyKing1000 Ok cool, try and get some peacocks that can hold there own with Mbuna.

Eg Firefish/dragon bloods, Jacobs and OB peacocks :)

[HobbyKing1000]

@bolly12345 ok thanks

[bolly12345]

@HobbyKing1000 You're welcome and good luck

[HobbyKing1000]

once with eggsacks, how old do u think they were 1 or 2 days?

[HobbyKing1000]

im on fishtanktv, and some people told me to talk to you, i have an African that has eggs in her mouth i have her in a breeder net,i need to know how long will the eggs take to hatch and when to take them out i held her and opened her mouth and looked in and i saw a few big eggs and on eyeball so idk if that's a baby im sure it is but i just need to know thanks

[bolly12345]

@HobbyKing1000 Hi thanks for your question. The egg to fry evolution is normally 18-21 days. What African is holding. A little tip to check if there ready to strip or spit (the females throat will go a dark colour)

In the video i talked about how to care of fry with big eggs sacks.

[HobbyKing1000]

@bolly12345 hi i just opened her mouth and the babys came out they rnt swimming yet when will they start swimming and how long till i feed them?

[bolly12345]

@HobbyKing1000 Hi mate, that's covered in the video pal. It's when I'm stripping the 2nd female Demasoni.

To recap - if the fry have egg sacks, you'll need some water movement in the tank or whatever you have them in but not heavy water movement - just enough to stop the egg sack sticking to suface of the glass or plastic. They will start swimming when the egg sack reduces. You can start feeding them around the same time the egg sack goes.

[MadHatterReefs]

Sick Intro... Good Tips!

[bolly12345]

@MadHatterReefs Cheers buddy

[africancichlidfamily]

at 2:30 in to the video u said that you americans run the world but not all of your fans are american i am canadian myself

[bolly12345]

@africancichlidfamily Lol you having a laugh? I never said that in the video???

[MrTerence1992]

nice:)

[bolly12345]

@MrTerence1992 Thanks

[123MalawiCichlids]

You are really good at keeping fish they all seem to be happy from your other videos... Do you actually breed and sell the fry because I am going tobstart a breeding house and wondered if you could give any advise :) Thanks

[bolly12345]

@123MalawiCichlids I used to sell fry on a small scale, nothing like a fish shed though. For info on fish houses please visit malawiforum co uk

[DiscusKev]

You got some rather interesting videos, in great video quality too. I'll come back here in a couple of weeks time as I'm currently busy.

[bolly12345]

@DiscusKev Thanks Kev,don't forget to subscribe for more vids :)

[AlexSlams]

Great video, subscribed! I've stripped some of my Astatotilapia Aeneocolor before but the tank I had sprung a leak and I've had to leave the rest of my females to spit in the tank. I'm going to find myself a cheap tank and try growing some of my Ps Flavus on.

[bolly12345]

@AlexSlams Thank you for the sub! Glad you liked the video :)

[JUNAID187]

your video has received a honor ! Well done mate

[bolly12345]

@JUNAID187 WOW, I just checked and there's 2 AWARDS!!!

Thank you for letting me know.

[scottylad79]

hey good video looks like ur doing a good job ther but using a plastic Pipette Dropper to suck them out. mayb im wrong never done it but sure good vids

[bolly12345]

@scottylad79 Hi, that could work buddy. You could also you it flush them out.

[markdarbo]

Hi mate, can I just add its a bit easier if after taking the fish out of the water if you tip them up so the head points up so the air comes out of the mouth it prevents the air bubble from holding the fry in.

[bolly12345]

@markdarbo Yeah nice one buddy. Cheers :)

[jmber27]

Excellent vid..5*

[bolly12345]

@jmber27 Thank you, glad you liked it.

[kathateria1]

@bolly12345

Hi,I would love to be able to see into the fish's mouth,a close up.

I would like to see more of you,when you are in action,rather than just your legs.

Also,make eye contact with the camera a bit more!

[bolly12345]

@kathateria1 Thanks for the tips Kath, but I thought you like mens thighs??? lol

[kathateria1]

@bolly12345

Dirty boy!

I like the middle leg...

[bolly12345]

@kathateria1 Lmao, there's young people that watch these vids tut tut :) 

[kathateria1]

@bolly12345

They only watch them because it says 'strip' in the title!

[bolly12345]

@kathateria1 Yeah I was thinking that, what type of people will this video attract lol

[kathateria1]

@bolly12345

What else could you call it,though? ' me opening fish's mouth to help babies swim out' video,just doesnt reel the viewers in!

[bolly12345]

@kathateria1 Should of called the video stripping made easy :)

[JUNAID187]

you should do more commentaries

[bolly12345]

@JUNAID187 Thanks, I'll try and do more. I have a few ideas.

[robdawg300]

whats the very first song

[bolly12345]

@robdawg300 Lol, I think I already told you on another video!

It's a DJ Tiesto tune, but I don't know the name of it :)

[robdawg300]

@bolly12345 o my bad, nice fish tho.subbed

[zakartaz]

Nice one.

[TheDelliman23]

that has to be highly stressful for both parties... lol the paper clip method ive seen a guy use seemed Alot easier. but good job. you did alot better than i would.

[bolly12345]

@TheDelliman23 It's a bit tricky 1st time round but I've done more times than I can remember. The paper clip method is another way to do it, like I said in the vid using my thumb is the way I personally like to do it.

[TheDelliman23]

@bolly12345 i hear ya. well it was an awesome and Highly Educational/Entertaining vid. keep up the good work.

oh and are demasonis the way to go for beginners? or what are some african cichlids that are good to start out breeding with? or just all in all the best to breed?

[bolly12345]

@TheDelliman23 Honestly Demasoni aren't really recommended for the beginner, they can be really hard to keep and need to be kept in high numbers 10-12+

But you never know till you try it :)

Try breeding yellow labs, Rusties, Acei.

Thanks for your comments btw

[MrHoney2U]

How long before you can add them to the main tank or sell them?

[bolly12345]

@MrHoney2U

If they fit in the mouths of the fish in your main tank then they are still to small to put them in. I normally wait till they are 1- 1.5" or so.

You can sell fry as small as 2cm.

[DAVEK1234]

great video.

[mkh4n]

Awesome demo my mate

[mbezik]

great vid man!