breeding questions!!!

[discusmann]

ive been thinking of breeding discus for a little bit. ive got a 55 gallon w/ some red empress and two discus. and im wondering how hard is it to find the right pair, and will they female just lay her eggs when she is ready.

[heavyp83]

Red empress and Discus together? Suunds a little odd. Even if you do get eggs with a pair they will probably be devoured by the Africans.

[discusmann]

why does these tankmates sound odd

[Carol_Roberts]

When the female is ready she will just lay eggs. When the male is old enough he will fertilize them. If the water is soft enough they will hatch. And the empress will eat them all, lol.

African's like Red Empress do best in hard water. Discus eggs will not hatch in hard water. If you have fish other than the discus pair in a tank the other fish will do their best to eat the eggs or babies . . . . even other discus.

[discusmann]

thanks for the information!!! :fish:

[roger]

Something to remember about the discus, is that you can end up with 2 females as a pair as well.

The tankmates you have listed are going to stress the discus so the eggs will get eaten. Once they lay eggs though you can decide if your going to put the discus in their own tank or move everyone else out to another. That way you have atleast a chance of observing the fish at the next egglaying ceremony.

Peace,
Roger