Unexpected Discus Eggs

[TW]

I know they have ziltch chance of making it in my community tank, but I was surprised last night to find eggs on the filter intake of my planted community tank. I hope, at least, that means they must be happy in their home. They laid on the filter intake tube & are guarding - sometimes both together or sometimes taking turns. They both leave the eggs to feed, so their guarding skills need working on.

Hoping eggs aren't eaten before at least wriggler stage, cause then I'll know if I have a male & female, or if it's 2 females. The parents are a blue diamond from Xtreme & the other, I don't know. The LFS said "Fire Ruby" but know that's just a breeders name.

Here's "Fire Ruby" where I tried to get a shot of the breeding tube. Any thoughts on if male or female? The tube seemed more prominant yesterday. Seems to have retracted a bit today. Also anyone know what type of discus this really is?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1767.jpg

Couldn't get a decent shot showing the blue diampnd's tube, plus there was a lot less to see. Was a different shape & not as prominant.

Here's a couple shots of them guarding.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1760.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1761.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1769.jpg

If I can know for sure they are a confirmed pair, I'll move them to a breeding tank when I get back from hols.

Cheers

[the german]

i would call it red turquoise mate,and i would say shes female :D

[Matt15]

Thats great news mate... congratulations.

Fingers crossed for you the blue diamond is a male...xXx

[samir]

from the pic they look infertile to me, first go in a community tank usually is

[TW]

Thanks for all the replies. How do I tell infertile eggs from fertile. How long does it take for fertile eggs to hatch?

Samir, I think you were at Xtreme the day I bought the Blue Diamond?

Cheers,

[samir]

Thanks for all the replies. How do I tell infertile eggs from fertile. How long does it take for fertile eggs to hatch?

Samir, I think you were at Xtreme the day I bought the Blue Diamond?

Cheers,

ah :D so that was you, infertile eggs turn white around the 24hour mark

[TW]

The eggs are brown - might be my lousy camera & even worse skills that made them look white??? Plus as my photo came out very dark, I lightened it, before posting. A few eggs are a lighter shade of brown, but the majority are a medium brown. Exactly when they were laid - don't know, but I first spotted the eggs between 11-12pm last night, so getting close to 24hrs now.

If they are still brown tomorrow, will that mean they are fertile?

Worryingly, I don't know if they were there before I did a water change yesterday (water change was done with lights off - was floating a bag of cardinals that came out of QT). If eggs were there at the time, that would have done the eggs much harm I suspect.

If fertile, how long till wriggler stage?

Thanks once again.

[samir]

48 hours plus depending on temperature