Does this mean I have a male and a female?

[BlockHead1981]

I have eggs in my tank. On the heater to be exact. I wasn't sure if I have a male and female. Now I know at least one of them is a female. Could it still be possible that I have 2 females? Do they lay eggs even if there's no male? Am I missing something? I will know for sure if I get babies lol but just wondering. Thanks

 

[Fishfur]

The appearance of eggs is not a guarantee that a pair is present since females can lay eggs regardless of whether or not they have a mate

Angelfish & some other cichlids sometimes form F/F pairs which will behave in all ways like a true M/F pair - only if you happen to see them spawning & their breeding tubes will it be clear that both are female. One will act just like a male & follow after the laying female.

But without the contribution of milt from a male, eggs from F/F pairs are of necessity infertile as are those from females without mates - as hen’s eggs are when no roosters are present.

But if you do have a pair, then the eggs are probably fertile & if these eggs are fertile, that will become obvious quite soon.

Infertile eggs turn opaque white. Viable eggs typically change colour slightly (but not to opaque white) & typically they remain clear or translucent in appearance.

 

[Fishadict512]

what type of fish is it?

 

[Fishfur]

what type of fish is it?

There is an Angelfish in the image and they look like Angelfish eggs so I’m assuming that’s what they are.

 

[Fishadict512]

There is an Angelfish in the image and they look like Angelfish eggs so I’m assuming that’s what they are.

I saw the Angel, but I'm not familiar with eggs

 

[Fishfur]

I had a pair of them wayyyyy back at the beginning of my fish hobby journey, when I was about 12.

They’re not the only cichlid that lays eggs this way but their presence plus the location & appearance of the eggs makes them the logical source of the eggs.

 

[tinylostwine]

I once had two females that would lay eggs constantly.... i was young back then and at first i was excited but .... as time went on and i learned the truth of the matter....

 

[SparkyJones]

those eggs look fertilized at least in these pictures. Quantity is a bit low, and they are small, so I'd be surprised if they don't eat them before they hatch to try again. Depends on how long it's been since they were laid and then the temperature of the water how quick they could hatch out to wigglers, but the heater isn't an ideal location for eggs to be laid. it's right up there with an filter intake tube as "bad locations".

They will turn white and opaque if they go bad but as far as fertilizing and viability, those look really good except for it being newly matured fish. not all of the eggs will make it to wigglers regardless normally, so a good chance to learn is looking for the white ones to take note of the difference between viable or unviable.

here's to hoping winter is over where you are and the heater doesn't come on while still maintaining a warm enough temp to hatch them quick enough.

Best of luck.

 

[BlockHead1981]

Thank you for all the responses. Very informative, I am not trying to breed, but would still be nice to know the sex of the fish. I didn't know the whole FF thing and one acting like a male. Honestly I will be happy if they get along long term, I know that things can go bad and fast. So far they are pretty good together and they have the whole 37g to themselves. Thanks again

 

[Fishadict512]

If you do get babies, you can sell them or give them to a LFS

 

[tinylostwine]

If you get babies mommy will bite you if you put your hand too close to them.

 

[SparkyJones]

If you get babies mommy will bite you if you put your hand too close to them.

Yeah lol. My pair will hammer me if I put my hand near them with eggs wigglers or fry. Surprisingly fast when defending.