My discus are laying eggs in a community tank

[ktrandc]

Hi all,
I have about 17 discus in a 180 gallon planted community tank. 2 paired up and had eggs on a leaf. They tried protecting the eggs from the other discus but 2 days later the eggs were gone from the leaf. A few days after, they had more eggs on the leaf and again the eggs were gone in 2 days. Are the eggs being eaten by other fishes in the tank at night? I have 10 cory cats, about 100 rummy nose tetras, 10 blue rams, 3 danios, 3 clown loaches, and some platys. Can anyone let me know if it is possible to have fry's in a community tank or should I seperate the 2 lovefishes in a seperate tank. And if so, can you please give me some suggestions on the filters, size of the tank, and anything else I may need to start up a breeding tank. I'll try attaching pics of the tank and the pair. This one is the female.
thanks all, Michael

[ktrandc]

The male

[ktrandc]

tank mates

[ktrandc]

a wild discus

[ktrandc]

tank mates

[crazy4discus]

good looking discus and tank you got there

[ktrandc]

more tank mates

[ktrandc]

the infamous leaf

[ktrandc]

another pic of the leaf

[Carol_Roberts]

Get a 29 gallon, clay pot, heater and sponge filter. If you don't already have a cycled sponge filter you can start the new sponge filter in your present community tank. In 2 or 3 weeks it will be cycled and you can move it and your pair to the 29 gallon. They may quit laying for a few weeks after the move.

ps Then you will need at least a 55 gallon bare bottom + filter and heater to grow out the babies ;)

[ktrandc]

thanks Carol. So there's no chance that the eggs will hatch and I will have babies in the community tank? Also, when do I take the babies out and put them into the 55 gallon? Right after they hatch or until they reach a certain size? Will the parent eat them or will they be ok with the parents for a while? What do I feed the babies? Thanks for your input.
Michael

[Carol_Roberts]

So there's no chance that the eggs will hatch and I will have babies in the community tank? None will survive once free swimming
Also, when do I take the babies out and put them into the 55 gallon? 21 days after free swimming
Will the parent eat them or will they be ok with the parents for a while? one or both parents will care for them for 3 weeks
What do I feed the babies? baby brine shrimp by 7 days, california blackworms, between 14 - 21 days

[ktrandc]

thanks again Carol. I'm excited about the prospect of having baby discus!!

[chinoz]

very nice tank you got there Mike...you selling any of them? im going back to cali this thursday..to Orange county..i can drop by ;D

[ktrandc]

Hi Thanh drop by my place if you want to check them out!! I'd love to show them to you. Mike

[chinoz]

r u selling any of yours ? ;D