Topic: Are theses eggs? If so what should I do?

[sasq40]

Just got home and was looking around and noticed this

My jewels are guarding it pretty good so I think so

[altaaffe]

Nice one, I'd just let them look after them if you want to keep fry. 

If they are in with other fish you may have to put a separator in to prevent fighting.

[sasq40]

Yeah there in my 180 but no one has went into there corner. I'll let it be and see what happens. The guy I had the tank before said he left it alone and his fish bred. But these are the first fish I bought when I got into the hobby so I'm excited

[mrbigfish]

Yup, they're eggs. Took my Jewels a few times befor they gopt it right.

[Gerry]

protecting the eggs is easier than protecting the fry once they start swimming around. But as stated may take a few goes to get it right

[OinKY]

Nice
Agree,protecting eggs easier (no smart fish going near a Hemichromis spawn site).but once they start wandering they are fair game.If parents wander with them...then tank mates are fair game.
Look like lifalili,so at least it's one of the "milder" Jewels.

[sasq40]

I'll look at separatists tomorrow might be hard tho. Won't that block the parents in tho? And how do I know if there fertilized?

[OinKY]

Unfertilized eggs fungus quickly (parents usually eat those fast),so if good number are left and look healthy with parents still guarding then safe assumption they are fertilized. Since you weren't home to see them spawning then hard to know if there was a color change which is usually a sure sign of fertilization.
Knowing the tank mates would help decide how to proceed...and like to see another pic of the parents. Thinking lifalili at first,but the side spot looks wrong (maybe guttatus). Hemming them in may not be adviseable and if the tank mates are reasonably fast/tough/both it might be best to simply leave the situation be.All Hemichromis are protective parents,but there are degrees (plus individual differences) in how much damage they can and will inflict...on neighbors,or each other,in given circumstances.

[sasq40]

K here's a few pics.  The first 2 are the parents and the rest there mates. They are doing a good job a fending there territory  and tanks so gig everyone else doesn't bother bugging them.

[OinKY]

I'll go with H. bimaculatus...Commom Jewel. Good color on the one
Kind of surprised to see them in an ARLC setup,as they aren't Rift Lake cichlidsbut West African stream fish,but obviously they have adapted well.Must not keep the pH too high because the BP caught my eye too.

Good news is they can defend their fry against anything...this is the species that gave Jewels the reputation for being "aggressive".Bad news is they can defend their fry against anything.

 The scenarios are...
 Let it play out and hope for the best.Big tank,hopefully transgressors can escape to safety if parents unleash.
 Divide them off...and hope for the best. Jewel males are notorious for wanting to spawn again before a brood has moved on and the female is ready again,especially if a suitable spot to spawn is nearby.If so,and you isolate them,then she could take a severe beating...or,if the she-tiger mother type and up to it,the male could take it.Either way,divided off,there's no escape.Free-run,with all that space,is probably best for all involved.
 May get lucky and just be a pair of softies too.

[Stormbringer]

congrats on the eggs and fry , hope all goes well with them 

[Tony]

hey thats cool mate,,,good luck 

[sasq40]

Yeah there not in the sane place anymore but the fish keep going into a hole in the rock beside the spot and there still protecting so hopefully they just moved them

[mrbigfish]

You have a nice assortment of fish there.

[OinKY]

Time line's about right,so should have hatched out.Good luck