Male Bangaii repeatedly discarding eggs

[Armando]

What causes the male Bangaii to repeatedly discard eggs within the first week?

 

[Mieko]

Hunger or stress would be my first two guesses, are you fattening him up before he takes the eggs?

Does he have any tank mates that harrass him?

How many batches has he discarded? Has he taken any to term?

 

[Armando]

he's definitely not hungry. probably not stressed either.

 

[LotR Clown]

What size tank is he in? I think they like larger tanks to carry to term.

 

[mwp]

Armando, I have the same problem with my male Bangaii - 4 spawns lost now. I keep a rather crowded breeding aquarium so that may be the cause in my case. My next step is to transfer him to solitary quarters shortly after spawning.

Another reason mouthbrooders in general may consume their spawn is if the spawns are not viable (infertile) or become "infected" (i.e. fungus).

FWIW,

MP

 

[Armando]

the tank is a 75G, which is considered a good size for a pair. It's shared with a pair of non-aggressive clowns only.

mwp do you have aggressive fish in this tank?

 

[David M]

FWIW I used to breed them and my pair had to have the tank all to themselves. I did not have success until I removed all other fish.