One of my discus is laying eggs!!!! Got a question!

[reeffreak]

I am not sure if this is a good sign or bad sign. I say this because I have had two of the four discus that have been hanging tight over the last week and tonight I see what I guess now is the female the bright red and blue, laying eggs on the overflow and the big blue one going behind her and eating them. He tries to nudge her before she lays them and she will go to another area and then he will nudge her some more then she will go back and lay the eggs and he will nudge her out of the way and eat them. So I say i do not know whether this is a good sign or bad sign of the atmosphere as she is laying but he is eating them. Any ideas or experiences with this??? i tested all params and ammonia is 0, nitrites 0, nitrates .5, PH is 7.2 ( I know a little high) but it has been like this since I had them, Temp is 83.5

[JoeCreature]

Totally normal. If you can keep them off the eggs for a few days there is a good chance they will rear the fry. If not you may have to swap something in there.

They make "spawning cones/sticks" that are specifically for discus and it gives them something to lay on, then you slide a mesh thingy over it to protect the eggs.

A very very good sign though.

[reeffreak]

Thanks Joe but it is AS SOON as she spits out a few he scoops them up. She can't even spit them out good....LOL Maybe they will catch on. I saw the cones and if they keep trying maybe I will put one in the background and see if it works.

[CritterHeaven]

Very cool Cammie. They must like their new home.

[JoeCreature]

Any idea how old they are? At least a year?

[reeffreak]

I have no idea of their age, that is a good question. i will have to ask. I would say at least a year though. they are good size.
Yeah Kim I guess finally they do like their new home. I hope that is the statement they are making anyway!! I would not have said that a week ago though. they have done a complete turn around in the last week. She is still at it as is he She is laying and he is eating.....

[JoeCreature]

From what I know:
-Females mature faster than males. 6-8months vs. 12-18months.
-Immature males see eggs as food.....not thinking about sex yet.
-Mature males may eat the first several broods until they are ready to fertilize.
-Other females will eat each others eggs.

I would guess that you are dealing with an immature or incompetent male.....yes..... go ahead and let the man hate begin.

[CritterHeaven]

She needs to stop laying long enough to give him a little attitude adjustment

[reeffreak]

Men...Geez!!! the one eating is bigger so either it is an immature male or another female but these are the two that are always hanging out. Are males typically larger than females. when you say females mature faster does this mean larger also???

[JoeCreature]

Yes males are bigger at maturity. Females just reach that point sooner.

Males also have bigger lips and pointed fins.