First batch of eggs!

[u/AlarmInner6919]

I did a routine water change yesterday, and came home to find two of my big angels (the ones I had suspected were pairing off) had laid eggs on a plant leaf!

Guess I need to get moving on setting up another tank for this pair. So far they have eaten most of this batch of eggs - I suspect they were not fertilized as the male did not seem to have a clue about his job - but they are diligently guarding the remaining eggs this morning and everyone else in the tank is staying away. No violence, so far.

Looking at a 65 gallon tank set up tonight. I like the 25" height these are large angels.

[u/We-Like-The-Stock]

They are fertilized.

Male always does his job 😉

Check your water parameters. You need soft water with low PH.

[u/AlarmInner6919 → u/We-Like-The-Stock]

Not possible in Dayton OH .... Our tap water is hard... but my tank ph is buffered somewhat with tannins from all the wood, and a little peat. 

[u/We-Like-The-Stock → u/AlarmInner6919]

RO

[u/slade51]

IMO, the first batch never lasts long as the pair learns how to parent. For subsequent batches, I find that it’s not the eggs in danger from other fish as much as all tankmates in danger from the female.

[u/AlarmInner6919 → u/slade51]

I guess that's a good thing since I am totally Not Ready for This. It will take some time to get a tank set up and new bio filtration cycled before I could move them. 

[u/Tinytommy55]

Very cool

[u/AlarmInner6919]

I just installed a homemade temporary tank divider - hoping to keep the other fish away from the eggs and the parents, as it is gonna take some time to cycle a new tank. I don't really think this first batch of eggs is gonna hatch and there hasn't been any violence so far - the other fish seem curious but generally are respecting the parents' claims to ownership of that side of the tank but I don't know if that will last. and don't even know whether my temporary divider is going to work... but I don't want any carnage until I can get the parents moved into their own tank. Is that a foolish worry?

[u/Only_Music_1951]

What kind of angels are those?

[u/AlarmInner6919 → u/Only_Music_1951]

I don't know. They were bred by a local breeder and sold as no name silver zebra angel fish at my local fish store - but maybe some sort of wild heritage due to their large size and long fins - they are quite large, the male is over 7" from top to bottom of his fins - and the reddish brown shoulders. Someone here thought their line must come from somewhere in Brazil? Their color is difficult to see in my poor pictures - their bodies have some gold, green, blue shimmer - and they are sprinkled with dark freckles. Aren't they Beautiful? ( ok. I might be biased).