I have female that is currently holding since at least Monday, October 18, 2021, although spawning may have taken place earlier. She has bred in the past but never past a few days, so this time might be promising. The problem is I really do not want to loose this spawn but I can not find anything about how long to expect her to hold. The closest info I can find is in Mark Smith's book Lake Tanganyanyika Cichlids in which he writes that Ctenochromis Horei hold for 12 to 14 and then under Ctenochromis Benthicola haven't been bred in the aquarium yet. I know this is outdated for a few reasons: 1. Benthicola has been kicked out of the genus Ctenochromis and is now considered Trematochromis 2. Pretty sure that I remember Mark Smith posting here a few years ago or maybe the Facebook page, that he had spawned them, as had others and 3. Just because it was previously considered Ctenochromis does not mean horei and benthicola had similar spawning habits. So, with all that rambling, can anyone tell me anything about how long I can expect her to hold? The other mouth brooders I have spawned are all 21 days but unable to find really anything on line or in any of my other books, other that what I did find in Mark Smith's book. Also, should I left her just do her thing naturally, or strip her? Lastly, about how big are spawns. Thank you.
