She ate the eggs, and it was not even breakfast.

[Jayzao]

I had my Hoplias Malabaricus separated for about a month as one was outgrowing the other and there was some bullying.
After some other new stock I moved them back in together and all seems well.
When I woke up the next day they were both sitting in a cave with a large pile of eggs.
I was really hoping for a successful batch of wigglers soon but then as the days went on the pile got smaller and then vanished.
The female pretty much ate them all in three days.

Any clue why?
Tank too small? (It was a temp 40) Larger tank will be set-up this weekend.
Male did not fertilize? (He is considerably smaller and perhaps not as mature) Pair came as juvies from Aquascape in Nov.
Felt threatened? Maybe movement outside the tank caused an issue as its a temp location.


Any opinions are welcome.

Thanks

 

[kevinfleming21]

wow, never heard of them breeding honestly. I bet they were infertile, so she ate them

 

[ultimatejay]

Next time take the eggs out and or parents out. Make sure eggs stay in the same water


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Jayzao]

Another resource told me the tank was too small, thus threatening the parents.
The water is well maintained and I have a 150 set-up with mature filtration ready to move the pair into over the weekend.
Supposedly the male fertilizes the eggs and then cares for them until the hatch.

From what I have seen since I have been looking around for answers it seems others have had them breed. And I might add quite as unexpectedly as ours too.
Thanks

 

[kevinfleming21]

Wow, well....on the off chance you get them to breed again...sign me up for babies! I love Mala's!