Fry Gathering Around Foam Filter

[Fishquake]

After 3 weeks of free swimming I removed the parents last night. The fry are eating BBS, mainly from the bottom of the tank now, and appearing to be gathering around the foam filter. Is this a normal reaction to not having the parents in the tank or should I be concerned?

[ockyra215]

The fry since the patents are gone are attracted to the dark filter as the were attracted to their parents nothing to worry about as long as everything is normal. Keep up the feeding and water changes and all will be fine

[Fishquake]

Thank you ockyra215. I'm glad to hear that! I notice some of them gather around the silicone edges as well, probably for the same reason, though its clear silicone.

[Keith Perkins]

The dark shape of the sponge filter may be attracting them, or it might be that the sponge is loaded with BBS and it's just easy pickins.

[Fishquake]

They are more or less hunkered down. Ate well this morning but only from the bottom of the tank. Could be because I cleaned their foam and wiped down their tank this morning?

[Keith Perkins]

They are more or less hunkered down. Ate well this morning but only from the bottom of the tank. Could be because I cleaned their foam and wiped down their tank this morning?

Isn't that normal for you, wiping down the tank?

[Fishquake]

Yes, but first time without parents there .

[Fishquake]

Thank you for your help. Fry are doing great. Apparently. its something they do after they gorge themselves on BBS. I always think the worst...

[Keith Perkins]

Good to hear.

[Ryan]

All my cichlid fry will crowd around the sponges and eat BBS out of it. It's pretty normal. As long as they're eating and they aren't dark/scratching/huddled they're probably fine.