As their eggs hatch, a cichlid mother works quickly to hide her fry, even taking over when dad gets in the way. When it’s time to move them to safety, both parents must work together to protect every last one.
Features
TRANSCRIPT
A carefully chosen rock in the center of the pool camouflages the eggs.
But they are starting to hatch.
Wriggling tails, however, could attract attention.
(water lapping) But the mother gently picks them up and puts them out of sight under a leaf.
Father does his best to help, but he's getting in her way.
While mother is collecting more eggs, she turns around to find that her partner is at it again.
Caught in the act.
She clearly wants to finish the job herself.
Working alone, mother gets every last wriggler tucked away safely.
But she will need father's help when their wrigglers become swimmers.
Now, both parents must guide their offspring to the edge of the pool where there's more cover.
First step, navigate through a shoal of curimbata.
It's a job that requires two adults.
(curimbata whooshing) So now it's father's chance to help.
They've made it.
All fry accounted for.