Yep, the same fish I was having such a hard time getting to eat pellets! The dominant male and one of the females have been acting "funny" for a few days now, and so I knew that spawning was imennent. Well, I came home from work last night, and there they were -- guarding a clutch of eggs. I quickly snapped some pictures but didn't have time to post them last night (will do so today). My first intention was to remove the piece of wood thy spawned on and raising eggs separately, since the guy I bought these fish from 2 weeks ago told me that they are notorious for eating their eggs. I even have an unoccupied and cycled 30G set up ESPECIALLY for baby snooks. I have decided however that since this was their first clutch in my tank, and since they have just settled in, I'll leave eggs in with them. This would also give me an opportunity to see their parental behavior if only for a day or so (until one of their tankmates gets to a caviar dinner).
This morning however I could clearly tell that the eggs were no good. Most turned white
Also, I have noticed another strange thing -- for a fish such as this (they grow to 20") there were not very many eggs to begin with. I would say no more than a hundred, maybe two. On the contrary, I have seen convicts lay what seemed like 500-600 eggs easily. My snooks are still young. Male is 7" and his little woman is around 4.5". Could it be that she produces so little eggs due to being young? And could it be that male is fertile but too inexperienced to proprly fertilize his brood?
I have pics added to thir thread later tonight
This morning however I could clearly tell that the eggs were no good. Most turned white
Also, I have noticed another strange thing -- for a fish such as this (they grow to 20") there were not very many eggs to begin with. I would say no more than a hundred, maybe two. On the contrary, I have seen convicts lay what seemed like 500-600 eggs easily. My snooks are still young. Male is 7" and his little woman is around 4.5". Could it be that she produces so little eggs due to being young? And could it be that male is fertile but too inexperienced to proprly fertilize his brood?I have pics added to thir thread later tonight
