Apistogramma Hongsloi Breeding

[Al S]

Hi! I have a few questions regarding apistogramma exhibiting breeding behavior. My female is very protective over one of the catappa leaves in the tank and keeps luring the male in with her. She will clean the leaf and move sand off of it and it seems like they're going through the motions of breeding.

My question is should i be expecting them to actually spawn or is it likely that they won't produce any offspring for a while. I am trying to get some worm cultures for my other fish but i do have frozen cuclops and frozen baby brine shrimp. I just want to be prepared in case they do end up making some fry. 

My other question is will i have to remove the male? I do have a community tank he can go in if need be.

[Al S]

Sorry lights are off but this is her current preferred "hide"

[FrostiesFishes]

Sounds like they may spawn but you’ll just have to just keep checking. But a word of caution, don’t go floodlighting the eggs, you’ll spook the female and she’ll either eat the eggs or move them. But checking the eggs to often will stress her out. Typically after they spawn she won’t let the male near the spot. And I’d remove the fry before I moved the male personally. 

[Al S]

5 minutes ago, FrostiesFishes said:

Sounds like they may spawn but you’ll just have to just keep checking. But a word of caution, don’t go floodlighting the eggs, you’ll spook the female and she’ll either eat the eggs or move them. But checking the eggs to often will stress her out. Typically after they spawn she won’t let the male near the spot. And I’d remove the fry before I moved the male personally. 

Would it be wise to not turn on my ceiling light in my bedroom then? I don't have totally adequate space for fry unless it would be okay to raise them with my mollies but i feel that tank is pretty crowded already. If i see that she laid eggs I'll also pass this information on to my roommate so he won't disturb her either. Good tips, thank you!

[FrostiesFishes]

No your overhead light shouldn’t be a problem. just don’t go shoving a flashlight in there eyeballs. As for where to put the fry I really can’t be much help in that department.