Deadbeat Dad
Deadbeat Dad
I've got a pair of Blue Diamonds that recently paired off, and I've set them up in their own 20G breeding tank. The female's been laying eggs at least four times now, but the male just isn't fertilizing them. He does help clean the cone and occasionally blows on the eggs, which is a good sign, but when she's laying, he just stares off into the corner like he's clueless. I'm pretty sure he's a male - pointed trailing fin, darker pigment, all that. I know it can take them time to figure out the process, so maybe he's just not experienced enough yet. They're both around 2 years old, and this is their first spawn, so I'm hoping he'll get the hang of it eventually.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
I'm curious to hear some suggestions on this. So, no runs at all from the male? No tube out, even? I'd expect to see some runs from both, even if they were two females. And even if he's an immature BD male, I'd still expect some "dry" runs.
Your pair is really beautiful, by the way. Hopefully, he'll get over his fear of parenthood soon.
I'm curious to hear some suggestions on this. So, no runs at all from the male? No tube out, even? I'd expect to see some runs from both, even if they were two females. And even if he's an immature BD male, I'd still expect some "dry" runs.
Your pair is really beautiful, by the way. Hopefully, he'll get over his fear of parenthood soon.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Originally posted by basis
So he makes no runs at all?
He doesn't make any runs that I've seen. When she's laying eggs, he moves away, but in between her runs, he'll come in close and tend to the eggs. It's a bit strange.
Originally posted by basis
Tube out?
I think it is, although it's not as prominent as hers. However, it does seem to be out more than it used to be, or more than the other Blue Diamonds in the community tank.
There's a nice patch of eggs now, but I'm not holding my breath - unless he's secretly fertilizing them from across the tank.
Originally posted by basis
So he makes no runs at all?
He doesn't make any runs that I've seen. When she's laying eggs, he moves away, but in between her runs, he'll come in close and tend to the eggs. It's a bit strange.
Originally posted by basis
Tube out?
I think it is, although it's not as prominent as hers. However, it does seem to be out more than it used to be, or more than the other Blue Diamonds in the community tank.
There's a nice patch of eggs now, but I'm not holding my breath - unless he's secretly fertilizing them from across the tank.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
I'm stumped - has anyone else seen this before? Al, Pat, Liz, or anyone with experience... chime in, I'm really curious.
I'm stumped - has anyone else seen this before? Al, Pat, Liz, or anyone with experience... chime in, I'm really curious.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
That's one weird situation.
Al, Pat, Liz - anyone else seen this before? Curiosity's killing me.
That's one weird situation.
Al, Pat, Liz - anyone else seen this before? Curiosity's killing me.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
I've heard Blue Diamonds can take their sweet time to mature, especially the males. It's possible he's just not quite there yet. That being said, he does look like a stunning male, darker pigment and all. Maybe give him a bit more time and he'll figure out his role in the breeding process.
I've heard Blue Diamonds can take their sweet time to mature, especially the males. It's possible he's just not quite there yet. That being said, he does look like a stunning male, darker pigment and all. Maybe give him a bit more time and he'll figure out his role in the breeding process.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Might be worth screening the eggs or pulling them out to see if they'll hatch. Not uncommon for male Discus to only make one run over the eggs, usually happens near the end of the spawn. Guess we just have to wait and see what happens.
Might be worth screening the eggs or pulling them out to see if they'll hatch. Not uncommon for male Discus to only make one run over the eggs, usually happens near the end of the spawn. Guess we just have to wait and see what happens.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
If you want to know for sure, wait 72 hours - fertile eggs will show a tiny black spot, the embryo's eye, and infertile ones will turn white over time.
If you want to know for sure, wait 72 hours - fertile eggs will show a tiny black spot, the embryo's eye, and infertile ones will turn white over time.
Re: Deadbeat Dad
Re: Deadbeat Dad
I've had a whole spawn of unfertilized eggs that looked clear on the second day, threw me for a loop, I'll admit. No black spots, just a couple white ones. Then later that evening, most of them had turned white.
I've had a whole spawn of unfertilized eggs that looked clear on the second day, threw me for a loop, I'll admit. No black spots, just a couple white ones. Then later that evening, most of them had turned white.