Help.. Discus spawning showdown at the "ok corral"

[Eyecandy]

Hi there all... Wasn't quite sure which section was appropriate so feel free to move this..
Help.. After thinking about all your great feedback I decided that instead of adding angels to the new 4x2x2 120 gallon containing 4 semi adult discus (about 5 in) and a bn that I previously had in the 72gallon, I would go ahead and get more discus. I got 4 more great ones of about the same size and they are in my 55 gallon QT tank... I figured about a 4 week qt as they are from the same breeder and same tanks as the original ones.

Meanwhile... back at the ranch... my 2 Gold Masters in the 120 decided to spawn again..This is the 4th time and last time they got to the wiggler stage in this "community" tank and I figured since I had just set up this tank they would wait awhile... Well that was Sunday... The eggs are on one of the inlet tubes to one of the xp3s on the right hand side. Well today I awoke to see eggs on the left hand side on the tank on a powerhead next to the other xps inlet tube with my rose reds fanning them. My rose reds decided that they were in the mood also... This is a first for them.

So I have this huge tank with the bn hiding and the pairs squared off at opposite sides of the tank daring each other to "cross the line drawn in the sand". This is all in a sand substrate lightly planted tank with driftwood and anubas.. It's really a site to see each set defending its turf..
So the question is... should I put in a divider?? Will that minimize stress.. Is there anything I should do?? I have no other tanks to move anyone to as the new discus have only been in the qt tank for a week... I'm not set up for youngsters at this point although I love watching the behavior and if I have babies that would be great....Will they continue to do this until I add the new guys?? They don't eat much at all as they are busy guarding their turf... Will they be ok?? So far no real damage just alot of bluffing and posturing... Should I add the new guys sooner to diffuse the situation>>>
Since I've never had this sort of situation before any and all feedback is greatly appreciated... I purchased 2 of each strain but not as "pairs" so this is really interesting how things worked out.. I know the dynamics will change once the new guys are added to the mix but for now any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks Sue

[Eyecandy]

Hi again... Well there must be something in my well water... I just looked in the 55 gallon qt tank and there are eggs on the inlet tube I think from the Gold Masters (the new ones) that are in there.. I got 2 gold masters, one tangerine and one ocean green. So its a free for all.. an orgy.... So I guess when they go in the 120 its really gonna get interesting... Any advice besides start looking for breeder tanks???? Sue

[2sybs]

Uh... Start looking for breeder tanks? LOL
So, 2 confirmed pairs? and are the new ones in the 55 paired or just a female that feels like laying eggs? That would make 3 pairs and 2 left to take over the 120 gal.... this is kinda funny and congrats Sue.
Ray

[Eyecandy]

Hi Ray...
I know everyone on the forum's kinda in mourning after losing such a great person so thanks for taking the time to respond...
This morning the eggs in the 55 qt are gone so I guess everyone had caviar last night. Will have to wait and see if it's just a female laying or a pair... Hopefully now they will start eating..
The others in the 120 are still guarding their turf and eggs so now we'll see if they get fertilized and I see wrigglers... One pair for sure the others are probable pair... won't know til I see if the eggs get fertilized.
Question is do you think I should put in some sort of divider or not unless it gets nasty... Also will their not eating be harmful and will both sides continue this "turf war" until I put the others in??? Once the new guys are eating etc and after about another week or so should I put them in the 120 since they came from the same breeder source and tanks as those in the 120 or should I wait for a 4 week qt??? I know better safe than sorry but I'm afraid the ones in the 120 will get so territorial the new guys will really have a battle going on when I move them... What do you think???
Thanks again for responding and the congrats... not sure yet what I'm going to do about little ones. Sue:angel::angel:

[2sybs]

I am by no means an expert in breeding discus but dividers I would think would be a good start and as you said concerning the new ones in the 55, better safe than sorry.
And I think breeder tanks as well otherwise you are going to have that 120 divided into 4 sections.
Any other fish in the big tank?
One of the experts should be along before too long though.
I just had to comment on the idea of 6 out of 8 breeding and in smaller tanks while that big 120 was left for the remaining 2 discus. :p (gotta be the water. LOL)
Ray

[Eyecandy]

Hi ray... Thanks for the comments... they are so funny to watch... Wish I knew how to make a utube thing of it but I am "computer challenged" as they say.LOL.....
Well the eggs in the 55 QT became caviar before they became fertilized so not sure yet if just a female laying eggs with another helping to guard them. or if there is a pair.. have to wait and see...
The showdown is still going on in the 120... My Gold Masters young are at the wriggler stage and their parents are defending that side with all their might. The red rose ones have been fertilized but are starting to dissappear so caviar I guess... That's ok it was their first time and they continue to defend their side.... So I'm leaving things as they are and we'll see if any fry make it before I go and try a divider or something next time.. The Gold Masters were spawning every week so we will see what the future holds...
Meanwhile I noticed that I have amonia of .25 to .5 in the 120 if I skip a day of water change.. I used to do one every few days and my parameters were great.. Haven't had any amonia since setup by moving over the old filters etc and was sorta expecting there might be a small spike after the new setup even with only a four discus and bn bioload.. It took a bit of time to transfer the xp3s over and I did do a minimal clean on them so I may have damaged the bio setup a bit. The water is ph6 and I use Prime so it's not really affecting the fish but I was suprised to see it jump after only a day... of course I immediately did a water change and have continued doing them.. I wonder tho if the eggs.. dead or alive affected the water chemistry/bio load... I wouldn't think there would be enough to affect it but with 2 large spawns maybe??? I'm continually monitoring it and no nitrite is showing and just the normal 10 or so of nitrate.... just looking for feedback...
The others are staying in qt until I get the water parameters stabilized of course. never a dull moment around here... Sue:angel::angel:

[fredox]

What did you clean the filter with? Tap or tank water?

[Eyecandy]

Hi..
Fredox... cleaned the filters in old tank water but wiped the filter box (xp3 canister) well with paper towel and a bit of tap water with prime...
I'm thinking that perhaps the dying eggs etc are causing the amonia... there's no nitrite buildup at all.. just a slight rise in nitrate as well... Changed the water yesterday and this morning the amonia was zero so gonna wait and see what it is tomorrow... because of the wrigglers don't want to do too much messing around in the tank til either they make it or are gone. Then I will do a really good vacum of the sand and driftwood. And just thought of it duh..
.Since it's a new setup as to tank (not fish or filters) there is quite a bit of brown diatom algae from the silicates leaching from the glass so that may be affecting things too...
At this point everyone is still guarding their turf and there are some wrigglers from the Gold Masters.. but I think between the other discus, the gold masters having a lot of white pearling and the driftwood being dark and the size of the tank these guys are gonna have a difficult time making it... Think they are gonna have to be in a breeder tank or maybe the 55 divided before I get babies... Oh well it's good experience for them and me... we're all learning to be better parents... Sue:angel::angel: