When can I release fry into the tank?

[KarEn]

Hello all,

I have about 40 baby frontosas (about 1 inch in size) who are over 2 months old now. Can I release them into the tank with 6 adults (~6 inch in size)?
I had one escaped about a month ago, but he was too small... he is no longer in the tank as I suspect he became someone's sushi...   so, I'm wondering when the baby fronts are ready to join their adult tankmates.

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

Thanks!
Kar En

[Mike L]

I would say not until they won't fit into the adult mouth. What are you growing then out in. Mike

[KarEn]

I would say not until they won't fit into the adult mouth. What are you growing then out in. Mike

Mike, sorry for not responding earlier. I never got a notification about your reply

My adults are 6-7 inches, so... I guess it's still too early...  I have a huge 13"+ adult that I am looking to sell to a good home, but nobody seemed to have a big enough tank for him. His mouth is way too big, but I keep him separate in the same tank, separated with eggcrate.

I have about 63 frontosa fry now. Got 29 of them 4 days ago, and my Julidochromis marlieri suprised me with 10 fry as well last night. :-)

I keep them all in the same tank due to the fact that it's a well-established tank with good eco system. They are kept in a separate cage though. It's a cage for reptiles :-). I drilled a ton of holes there, placed an aerator to circulate water. So far all the fry is happy. Some of them are already over an inch in size (born in August), some were separated from a mother 4 days ago. All baby-fronts are in the cage, but marleries are in the tank, hiding behind rocks. I can't catch them... so I don't have that much choice.

I wonder, if I release an inch long babies... would they be fine or they would become adults' sushi?  

Thanks.

[Mike L]

 You have got to find a taker for that large frontosa. Put it for sale in the classifieds. Also try Duzzee Canada. I haven't had much luck but many swear by it.
Mike

[KarEn]

Thanks Mike. I did. Hope someone takes him.

P.S. One of the female frontosas is really... busy. I just stripped her last week and this week she is holding again. This is crazy. She is like a rabbit.

[bitterman]

Karen told you they would breed for you. The adults could eat them any time under a year. At 1 year males should be about 6" and females about 4".

I think you need another tank

Bruce

[KarEn]

Hi Bruce. I released 20 of them into the same tank. All happy. Adults don't even come close.
I had to sell an alpha male...but he went to a good home. One of the males I got from you developed a big hump, so he is a new boss now.