helen38

my dempseys have eggs, lots of them, i cant get a clear look at them but what i can see are white, does this mean they are not fertilized? she laid them yesterday (monday) at some point.

any help is appreciated as ive looked all over the internet and cant seem to find an answer.

Shawnie

if they arent fertilized, they will eat them usually in a few days.....usually white is not fertile but females will spawn even without a male.......but ive never had JD's spawn so not sure how long or the exact color ......creamy tannish color is usually fertile in most other fish so im assuming that might be the case with dempseys also......and I do know from reading and others, it sometimes takes a few trys for them to get it right ....

Markm0723

First of all congrats on the eggs. JD eggs are usually a clear gold/tan when fertile, however the color of the rock/ornament that they were laid on can alter the color. Like Shawnie said, if the eggs are infertile, the parents will eat them so they won't be wasted. Females often mature before the males, so his sperm may not be ready yet. I've also had two females pair up. If you can post a couple of pics of the pair we should be able to sex them if you're not sure. The female normally has allot more blue on her lower gill plate and lower jaw, but it can sometimes be a little tricky when they're young.

Mark

helen38

il try to get some pics later, problem is there both under a rock, ones with all the eggs and the other is next door to her

helen38

this is where the eggs were, all on the left hand side of the rock, dad (i think) is now in there.


this pic is mum, i think shes moved the eggs because shes dug out a bit of the gravel and just sitting there, shes not come out for food yet

helen38

mum is virtually black all over with a few blue stripes

helen38

the spot where the female is staying i just noticed my synodontis (i think thats what he was) dead, would the dempseys have killed him and should i move out my 3 inch pleco?

Markm0723

The top pic definitely looks to be a male (and a nice looking one at that). The second pic really doesn't show enough to say for sure, but since you've got eggs, I'd say its a female. Sorry to hear about you Syno cat, and yes it was most likely the pair protecting the eggs. Your pleco is probably okay, but keep an eye on him, if his fins start to look damaged, I'd move him.

Mark