G Kadar Yes ram eggs can be hatched artifically or just left alone without parents in the tank and they will hatch. I much prefer to let my male do all the work. Yes I said male. The female is only good for providing the eggs, like some other.... won't go there. Only kidding. My male does all the guarding of the fry and takes great care of them until the end of the first week post free swimming stage when he for some reason decides to eat them. So now I leave him with the fry for 3 days post free swimming stage and then remove him. The fry at this stage are eating baby brine shrimp and are good to go on their own with out parental care. John ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!