Unfertilized or water harness issue

[bonginator]

I have a pair that has laid 4 batches of eggs. They or other fish in the tank ate the first 3 spawns. This time, I surrounded the egg cone with metal mesh so the eggs were protégée. 3 days after the spawn, 75 percent of the eggs are white and 25 percent pale Orange but no wigglers.

I am based in Colorado so I am wondering if water hardness could cause the eggs not to hatch or if it must be something else like lack of fertilization or other water parameters.

can hardness truly inhibit hatching?

Thanks.

[Wes]

It can inhibit fertilization. the egg hardens quickly after laying and the sperm does not penetrate.