Banghai Cardinal Fry

[gvv]

After 23 days of carrying the eggs my male spit few of them, but still have something in his mouth yet.
I cannot watch him, as he didn't eat anything while he carrying the eggs/fry. I would die after not eating for 3 weeks... You may spot him behind in the rocks - he is pretty shy.

I checked in internet and lloks like it will be very difficult to raise them - mortality rate is quite big during first few weeks, but we will see...

[ray]

Congrats Vitali,I have some Otohime if you need it.

Ray

[Greatwhite]

Well that's the coolest thing I've seen all day!

[Cheebs]

Awesome!!! Good luck!

[Darth]

that is wicked!!!! BTW what is that thing with the spikes? is that just protection from the spikes

[sas]

Very nice! Congrats, hopefully they'll survive for you.

[washefuzzy]

They are so cute. Congrats

[gvv]

that is wicked!!!! BTW what is that thing with the spikes? is that just protection from the spikes

I found somewhere that usually in the wild (or sometimes in tanks) the fry hiding in the spines of urchins. So, this is "artificial urchin"
What's funny - they get into it...

Thanks all!
I will try post the updates...

[Nerine]

Awesome! Good luck with the fry!!

[Peekay]

That is awesome.  They are so cute!   

[rockgarden]

Congratulations.

[donkey_mittens]

That is awesome... wish you all the best... keep us posted

[Cheebs]

How are they doing today? Are they eating?

[gvv]

Thank you all!

Here is the update
There were 11 of them at first day. Today (25th day of holding) I can see 14, but farther is still holding fry in his mouth. Now he looks very weird - like one big head.

I have several bottles where hatching BBS, so every morning I put freshly hatched BBS, some enriched BBS (phytofeast and SELCO) from the second bottle
It is very difficult to see if they are eating or not, but their stomachs look fool. They still swimming between spikes of the "artificial urchin", which looks pretty cool.
No casualties for 3 days, but the most critical period from day 10 to 30, as I read from some articles in internet

[gvv]

After 4 weeks of holding eggs/baby father was put back. Looks pretty weak, so now I will have to feed him extensively
No idea how many fry I got - cannot count as they have this contrast color and I getting confused. Probably between 30-40..
They actively feeding on BBS. I also trying to add some Otohime dry food, but not sure they are taking it right now.

[sas]

Awe they look great! Awesome pic.
Hopefully dad will put his weight back on quickly,
he must be starving.

[Cheebs]

Wow what a big batch! I count at least 39 in the picture. Wicked.

[Nyx]

Congratulations! This is awesome! 

[vonG]

any updates???

[gvv]

OK, today is day 10 after father spit the last one...
Father is in the "home" tank and fry feels fine. No casualties yet.
There are some bigger guys and some smaller. I assume it depends on when they get out of the father mouth and start feeding, so larger are those who get out earlier and smaller, are those who get out last.
They look like became twice a size they were 10 days ago...
Still feeding with BBS, but planning to start adding Otohime dry food. Not sure how it will work, but just in case, to get rid of excess food, I put several molly fry into the same tank as well. These guys are pigs and hope they will show that dry food can be good