best time to strip Copadichromis borleyi

[Dan K]

I've got two holding Cop. borleyi Croc. Rocks still in the breeding tank with several other fish. When is the best time to strip? I read somewhere that they take a bit longer than some so I was figuring on stripping around day 19 or 20. I have been doing my vics by day 16 and sometimes they are spitting by then so I don't want to go too long on the borleyi and risk losing them as feeders .

[Ron]

Not sure about the "longer" part of what you've heard. Compared to what?

On all my haps, I typically wait until 2.5-3 weeks, borleyi included. I highly try to avoid any resemblance of an egg sac remaining on any fry I strip. Not that they won't live, but I think it's best they remain with Mom as long as reasonably possible. If had enough tank, I'd probably just move females and avoid stripping all together.

[Dan K]

"Longer" as compared with mbuna and vics. My mbunas and vics are usually good by 16-17 days with the exception of the Met. zebra gold Kawangas....they have considerable sacs yet at 16 days.

I stripped a few borleyi fry at 17 days and they had huge sacs yet. Momma scooped them back up after a day. I stripped 20 fry at 20 days and they still had somewhat of a sac and momma scooped them back up within an hour. If she doesn't release by 22 days I'll try again; they should be good to go by then I think.

[Ron]

FWIW I've occasionally done it too early too and the fry still had egg sacs so large they couldn't sit upright. Rather than put the mother though additional stress by letting her pick them up with intentions of stripping them again, I've typically kept them in a net breeder. As long as there is water flow around the vicinity of the net breeder, the fry tend to move enough to keep themselves agitated without needing to put them in a specially designed tumbler, like you'd need with eggs typically. The important key is to not feed them until the egg sacs are 100% gone.

[Dan K]

Thanks for the helpful info Ron     This is the first time I've had any fish hold more than 19 days.