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Hello All,

Well, my three Panada babis continue to thrive in my 46 gl tank loaded with five adult Pandas, 8 Harlequins and six White Clouds.

The babes seem to be eating just fine. I seem them out 'grazing' with the big Pandas. I make sure to sink some good food into their 'hiding' areas.

The questions I have are these -
1. Do I need to add some kind of special food for fry, or just continue with what I've been doing and allow them to graze as they've been doing?

2. In a week my family and I are going on vacation for a week. I'm planning on not feeding the tank while I'm gone. Is this a good idea with baby Pandas in the tank (the babies seem to be at least 6 weeks old and are most likely older)

Thanks

Eric

I've got Peppered and Black-fin cories in my moderately planted 29g. I saw a lot of spawning type behavior between the peppereds a while back, but never saw any eggs or anything. Apperantly they spawned, and some of the babies found food and everything, because I've got 4 more peppered cories now

IME, ya don't really need any special foods, but I'm assuming that a lot of plant matter and plant dwelling critters (infusoria, snails, etc) would help, because that's what most fry eat

If they're already 6 weeks old, I don't think that they should need anything special if you'll be gone for a week...my peppereds were 'bout that old when I was gone for 3 weeks (but had mom feed everybody and a friend take care of the rest of the tank work).

Is the tank planted? If not, you might want to throw some low light plants (hornwort, anacharis, java moss, etc) into the tank and put a timer on there for 10-12 hours a day of light (46g's come with flouro lights, right?). That'd give the fish (not just the cories, but everybody else too) some munchies so they don't starve while yer gone

Have fun

At 6 weeks old those Pandas should be ready to take live Daphnia. Which will have a nice effect upon them. Speed their growth, boost their immune systems, and give them all the fun of chasing their first live critters. Once they're past 12 weeks, you can give them live Bloodworm as well. And when you see how those faces develop bit Cheshire cat smiles once they start chowing on the "red spaghetti", you won't look back

Variety is the spice of life. Mine get 6 different Tetra flakes and a brace of live foods. Which probably accounts for why I have happy Pandas.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Try to feed them Live food, such as Daphnia & Brine Shrimp & they'll grow a bit faster. If you have Plants in your tank, a week without food wouldn't bother them, but try to feed them just before you leave & as soon as you get back & Congratulations with your Panda Fry.


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Oh, and just before you leave them, give them a nice big water change and deep gravel vac if you can. That way, they'll have clean water and a clean substrate so you won't be worrying unduly about nitrate buildup affecting them (which of course has a less than delightful effect with Corys if the numbers get too high). Plus, you might find you have even more babies when you get back - take a look here and see what I mean!!!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002