CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I have a pair of Tigers and they have laid eggs, How long before they hatch please??? They are about 11 inches now and I have them in a 55 gal tank, I am thinking pretty soon I will have to set up my 20 and my 10 gal tanks to hold the babies and Hope that Walmart will take them off my hands when big enough to give away! This is a first for me, I have had Oscars before but never pairs! TIA
Sue

Usually in the neighborhood of four or five days before they hatch, then another four or five days as "wriggler" before they become free-swimming. Often takes pairs a few tries to "get it right" as far as the eggs hatching, and the fry surviving. Sometimes the parents will eat the eggs or the fry the first few times. Part of this -- I believe -- is the practice of removing the fry from the parents too soon. The young ones don't learn parental care from their parents. I've found the fry grow faster if left in the big tank with the parents, and it's rewarding to watch the parents care for them.

Thanks for the reply. Another question please, My Oscars are acting like they are hungry and come to the top to be fed, however I notice later that they have not eaten any of the food. The female bit me when I cleaned the food off the filter tube!!! Brat!
Should I quit feeding until the eggs hatch?
Sue

I don't know if this is universal, but mine also eat very little while minding the eggs. Just cut back on the amount your feeding to match what they're consuming. They'll also be quite protective of invasion, even by the giant who brings food.

Thanks, I have had fish for years, but mostly salt water aquariums
or ponds. At one time my biggest tank was 135 gallons salt tank, it was beautiful!
I have just never had Oscars breed before, what a neat experience:)
Sue

I have Babies!! They are squirming:) What an experience:)
Sue:D

Congratulations! You might take a look at this link for reference:

http://www.cichlidfish.com/portal/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4899&highlight=feeding

Let us know how it goes!

I HAD babies This morning I can't see them:( A friend told me to put a nylon stocking over the filter tube, I did that last night and both parents got real upset over it, attacking the nylon over and over! I think I upset them too much and the ate the babies:(
I am sure they will lay again so not too upset this time.
Sue