Eggs!

[Ice001520]

I have a pair of 5'' discus in my 55 gallon planted tank that have been staying pretty close together lately. The male is a green snakeskin and the female is a royal blue. I was watching them today and all of a sudden the female was laying eggs of my filter intake. She started with a few and then there were hundreds. I was really disappointed to come back in a few minutes and watch the male eatting every last egg. So my question is...is there anything short of moving the male out of the tank (I would set up a breeding cube tank but i'm still in highschool and my parents won't let me set up a 6th tank:irked:). I would put in a divider but my tank is pretty densly planted and I really don't want to mess with the glosso, riccia or hairgrass that has finally provided the carpet in my tank.

I have also heard that after the first batch of eggs the male will be less prone to eatting the eggs. Will someone help me out please?
Thanks!

-Nick

[kev82]

Discus usually mess up a couple of times before getting fry. Just wait, they'll probably spawn again in 2-3 weeks.

[DBL TAP]

Try to get your hands on Jack Wattley's book. It might answer some of your questions.

Besides, like KEV said, they'll breed again.

Good luck

[ziggy2]

Or check out SimplyDiscus.com there is some great information there.

[dirtyblacksocks]

Male discus don't mature until they're about 2 years old, females will start laying eggs at around 8 months.

You need to check the hardness of your water as well, I think anything with a gH above about 14 will harden the eggs before the male can fertilize.

You could help them both out by putting in a tall flower pot upside down to lay on, instead of having them use a filter intake =)

Discus will also eat their eggs if they're kept in a community tank where they feel the fry will be threatened.

Like some one else already said, give it time - they take a while to get it right.

[Ice001520]

Hmm i'm not sure how old they are since I bought them at about 3'' each. I'm going to get a tank to seperate them into soon. If I have them in their own tank what are ideal water conditions to breed discus in?

[Westie]

Its very common for them to eat the first couple of batches. Even after they become free swiming they may still eat them. A BB breeder tank of 20g would be perfect. Good luck!

[dirtyblacksocks]

If the male is not producing properly you might want to get a 40G breeder, the females will get frustrated after a few spawns and start to beat on them.

[Ice001520]

My discus spawned again a few hours ago and it's only been 5 days! Why so soon? Is that normal?

[Ice001520]

Bump

[dirtyblacksocks]

Yeah it's normal, female discus will spawn roughly every other week until they get a hatch - they're very productive fish, if they get an actual hatch then they won't continue to lay until the babies reach about .25"

[Ice001520]

ahhh very helpful! Thanks!