Eggs!! And they did it while I was travelling...

[Disgirl]

Are you sure they are all gone? Sometimes they are being hidden away from prying eyes.
Barb

[DiscusBR]

Are you sure they are all gone? Sometimes they are being hidden away from prying eyes.
Barb

Barb, I could not find them anywhere. They were certainly not attached to the parents.

Here is an update. I came home tonight, did a WC and a huge clean up. I had to wipe down the algae from the 3D background, all glass walls, heaters, everything. I am exausted I then added a divider in the tank following a similar systems than the one created by Andras:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...ollywood/page2

I used a mosquito net and two PVC flat pieces to stick the net on the sides. I will try to post some pics tomorrow. So in one third of the tank I have the pair, while the other 5 Cuipeuas, 10 Cardinals and 7 Corydoras are in the other two thirds of the tank. The funny part is that the pair is pushing through the net trying to get to ther other side. We will see if the net will stay in place, since it is quite loose.

Please keep the fingers crossed

[Second Hand Pat]

Mauro, if the pair does not settle open the net and let them lay where they will and then put the net up.

[Discus Origins]

Mauro, if the pair does not settle open the net and let them lay where they will and then put the net up.

+1. Using a divider now may stress the pair into not spawning again. Let them interact with the group to settle back down and put up divider when they spawn again, or set up a 29 gallon breeding tank. I have a suspicion that the cardinal tetras and corydoras got themselves some tasty snacks.

[DiscusBR]

Mauro, if the pair does not settle open the net and let them lay where they will and then put the net up.

Pat, that makes a lot of sense. It might have been a better strategy to wait for the news spawn before changing their surrounding so dramatically. If they don't adapt I will take the net out.

[Keith Perkins]

+1. Using a divider now may stress the pair into not spawning again. Let them interact with the group to settle back down and put up divider when they spawn again, or set up a 29 gallon breeding tank. I have a suspicion that the cardinal tetras and corydoras got themselves some tasty snacks.

Excellent point on the tetras and corys, I certainly experienced that when I had a community tank and my discus decided to start spawning. The only difference is in my tank the adult discus had the last word.

[DiscusBR]

+1. Using a divider now may stress the pair into not spawning again. Let them interact with the group to settle back down and put up divider when they spawn again, or set up a 29 gallon breeding tank. I have a suspicion that the cardinal tetras and corydoras got themselves some tasty snacks.

Ok, Ok, I am taking the net out right now!

Yeap, someone got some new protein

[Second Hand Pat]

Mauro, you feeling the stress. Relax and let the pair make the choice and do the work. Both Len and I have added the divider after the eggs were laid. It really is no big deal.

[DiscusBR]

Mauro, you feeling the stress. Relax and let the pair make the choice and do the work. Both Len and I have added the divider after the eggs were laid. It really is no big deal.

Hi Pat, no stress. Didn't you see the smile face? I was just kidding. I really apreciate the time that experienced people like you and Mark devote to beginners like me in this forum. Thank you all for your time and patience.

Now, Mark raised a question. What do you think is the best strategy: 1. leave the pair in the community tank and add a divider if they spawn again; 2. put the pair in a 27 gallon breeding tank. I am adding a poll to see what folks think.

[Second Hand Pat]

Mauro, you will have the best control separating the pair into their own 27 BUT you might consider allowing them to spawn again in the big tank to cement the pair bond. Mark is a better person to advise on this then myself.

[Keith Perkins]

My vote was to leave them, a like pairs to have a little more experience before they're separated. I'd be more interested in Pat's and Mark's votes though.

[Second Hand Pat]

I would leave them alone in the main tank and let them strengthen the pair bond prior to separating them. The divider could be used at the same time. With my Tefe female I would feel very comfortable with placing her and her chosen male in a separate tank. She has shown herself to be very reliable.

[Discus Origins]

My vote may just add more to the confusion lol. I find that wilds spawn more readily in a biotope tank with other discus, it's the presence of other fish that strengthens the pair's bond. I suggest removing the tetras and corydoras from the tank as other discus will not be eating the fry in my experience. At least you can allow the attachment of the fry and experience the normal progression of a spawn for as long as possible before removing the fry to their own growout tank.

But, if you want to have the best chance at raising spawns I suggest putting a wild pair into a larger tank than a 27 or 29. They seem calmer in a 55 gallon versus a 29 gallon. When I had a pair raise fry in a 29 they started fighting soon after the fry attached. The same pair in a 55 gallon actually lead the fry around the tank letting them feed even on the adult food that was in the tank. It was a cool sight to see.

I prefer for my pairs to at least spawn twice and have fry attach prior to removing them to their own tank so the bond is established.

[Second Hand Pat]

I vote for what Mark said

[DiscusBR]

My vote may just add more to the confusion lol. I find that wilds spawn more readily in a biotope tank with other discus, it's the presence of other fish that strengthens the pair's bond. I suggest removing the tetras and corydoras from the tank as other discus will not be eating the fry in my experience. At least you can allow the attachment of the fry and experience the normal progression of a spawn for as long as possible before removing the fry to their own growout tank.

But, if you want to have the best chance at raising spawns I suggest putting a wild pair into a larger tank than a 27 or 29. They seem calmer in a 55 gallon versus a 29 gallon. When I had a pair raise fry in a 29 they started fighting soon after the fry attached. The same pair in a 55 gallon actually lead the fry around the tank letting them feed even on the adult food that was in the tank. It was a cool sight to see.

I prefer for my pairs to at least spawn twice and have fry attach prior to removing them to their own tank so the bond is established.

Thanks, Mark. The more I think I know the more there is to learn lol. So there are two more alternatives: 3. leave the fish in the tank, but move out the Cardinals and Corydoras; 4. Move the pair to a larger tank than a 27g. I am lost which is normal for a first time breeder.

I only have a 27g, so the last alternative would mean buying another tank, which is not likely to happen. The possibility of taking the tankmates out sounds appealing.