So this is my first experience with eggs and my pair spawned after 5 months and I've been reading everything I can to prepare to raise at least one batch.,,that is if I can stop kimmy-my female from chowing down every spawn...frustrating but I'm not completely set up yet so any advice would b great. I have a 14 gal biocube w just soft corals and some snails...nothing very threatening I don't think...I feed them a mix of flake and frozen meaty foods n read to try mysis as well so I picked some up tonight. I have a fry tank ready and rotifers on the way so I'll b starting my culture and it will be ready by the next batch if I do it right. How do I transfer the eggs in the event she stops snacking on them and if she doesn't what can I do?? I have a 4" pvc tube they host n she's laid eggs 2times now..I'm worried if I take it out right before the hatch and put another one in it will mess up her cycle and she won't lay eggs in there..also how long can I keep the culture going of rotifers? I have all the stuff but want to make sure to keep the numbers high..I can harvest some in my reef but I don't know how much I should put in there...any help would be appreciated
Female eating her eggs
- Thread starter alyssa46
- Start date
_shorty_
New member
I don't have tons of experience, so take this for what it's worth. I have read many times parents will eat the eggs the first few times until they get the hang of it. Otherwise, there could be bacterial, fungal, or nutritional issues. How soon after spawning are the eggs eaten?
As far as maintenance, I've found that it's typically okay, however they get VERY territorial. Be careful, as I've had my female jump OUT of the tank TWICE trying to attack my hand. I typically try to keep my hands out of the tank the couple days prior to spawning so that I don't throw that off, but once the eggs are laid, I haven't had many problems with routine maintenance.. I just try to keep my distance from the eggs.
For collection - I recommend reading up on different techniques. I personally have only collected them after hatch from my DT which after getting down the technique seems to work well. Sounds like you have the abililty to remove the egg substrate prior to hatch - so you might read up on that. You'll need air flow over the eggs, and you'll need to know for certain when hatch night is (which will come with experience in watching a couple batches go by). I'd also replace the substrate with an identical piece so you don't stress them out too much.
Good luck!!
As far as maintenance, I've found that it's typically okay, however they get VERY territorial. Be careful, as I've had my female jump OUT of the tank TWICE trying to attack my hand. I typically try to keep my hands out of the tank the couple days prior to spawning so that I don't throw that off, but once the eggs are laid, I haven't had many problems with routine maintenance.. I just try to keep my distance from the eggs.
For collection - I recommend reading up on different techniques. I personally have only collected them after hatch from my DT which after getting down the technique seems to work well. Sounds like you have the abililty to remove the egg substrate prior to hatch - so you might read up on that. You'll need air flow over the eggs, and you'll need to know for certain when hatch night is (which will come with experience in watching a couple batches go by). I'd also replace the substrate with an identical piece so you don't stress them out too much.
Good luck!!
Thank u so much I really appreciate the advise. I will definitely b careful cleaning...the male always attacks me but she hasn't yet...she ate the first batch within a day and this batch as of this morning which this is day 4, there are about 34 eggs left and they've changed color. I don't intend on keeping these cause like u said I really need to see when they hatch and I have to culture my rotifers still. I plan on going to get another pvc tube for them and when I'm ready to collect see if it works! Thanks again! 
MitchSutherland
Member
You just want the eggs blowing gently. Not being blown away but just a slight breeze to bring them plenty of oxygen. The bubbles do not have to touch the eggs. JUST GOOD FLOW.
MitchSutherland
Member
If you are using an airstone.
_shorty_
New member
How many succesful batches have you had with this method?
woods4542000
New member
You can keep rotifers going forever, some people will pull some put in fridge in case of a crash. Male may not be fertilizing eggs right could be reason for eating , which is very normal for a new pair.
