Topic: Red Severum Eggs

[Brewski]

Can anyone tell me if it is common for 2 females to look after 1 brood of eggs (that have not been fertilized)?

I have 2 Red Severums in my tank which I was starting to think, were both males. Last night I realised there were eggs on a rock and both fish are looking after them. I really can't tell them apart, except 1 is slightly larger and the smaller 1 has longer fins.

There are a very small number of eggs which have turned white but the rest still look o.k. Obviously I am hoping I have a male and a female and that they have been fertilized but I'm not sure.

The only other thing in the tank are 1 bristle nosed plec and 1 clown plec so I have been advised to keep a dim light near the tank at night (not shinning in)so the Red Severums can keep an eye on them, is this right?

All help/advise is welcomed.

[Gerry]

If they are fertilised and it sounds like some are, then I would remove the plecs or eggs.

if that's not an option then a light might give the sevs a chance if they can manage to intimidate the plecs (not easy if the plecs are set on a meal of them)

[Brewski]

Thanks for your response.

My son has got a 34 litre tank with just neons and guppy's in, I could put the plecs in there for a couple of days. I'm assuming the plecs could go back in my tank if and when the fry are free swimming?

Thanks again.

[Brewski]

The plecs didn't end up being a problem. I left them in, I was worried about upsetting the parents. Last night, while I was out, they ate the eggs themselves.
I have heard it may take quite a few attempts before they get it right (if they are a true pair).

[Gerry]

sorry to hear they ate them, but you are right when you say it can take a few goes for them to get it right

[Brewski]

I've got a flower pot in the tank which they are spending alot more time around. When I checked there seems to be very few eggs (15 - 20) stuck to the roof in there. Could it be that they have moved the eggs?

How often will they lay eggs, once a month/two months?

Thanks in advance.

Stuart.

[Gerry]

they will move the eggs when they become wrigglers, usually hide them then

[Brewski]

I'm pretty sure they didn't get to that stage and what ever was in the flower pot has now gone.

They still seem to have their tubes out and from closer inspection, I'm pretty sure they are both female.

Sorry about the first pic being blurred.

[Gerry]

Hard to tell if they are both females, but two females will go through a mating ritual and lay eggs.

This area here is clear in a female, this is a male red sev

[Brewski]

I'm still not 100% sure. I reckon the first is female. But the second looks either female, or perhaps a male with very few marks (maybe that's just wishful thinking) 

Please help.

[Gerry]

see what you mean, them two are not so clearly marked 

If when you see them extend their tubes the male should be a lot thinner and pointed, the female fatter and blunt. if its hard to tell I would say it's two females.

The last lot of eggs, did they go dark or white?

[Brewski]

Before I went out Friday night there were about 5 - 10 white eggs that I could see. They were dotted amongst 40 - 50 clear/dark eggs that I could see.

I first noticed the eggs Thursday night so they were about 24 hours old (if I noticed them as soon as they were laid).

The other confusing thing is, one is larger than the other (usually a male trait). But the smaller one has the longer fins (although there isn't that much difference).

I remember seeing a difference in tubes a few years ago when I had a couple of angel fish mate. I think I am settling on 2 females as there tubes are both quite fat and short.

Thanks for all your input, advice & help.

Stuart.

[Gerry]

sounds like two females right enough.

[Brewski]

11 days after finding the last lot of eggs, they have laid some more.

After looking closely at their tubes just after laying, I now think I may have a male! If I am right, then the male is the largest of the two and the female has the longest fins. Basically the opposite way round to what I thought going by the markings

[Gerry]

That looks male 

Next set of eggs will tell if they last a bit longer