I have spawned some P.Mellis, the four fish (2M 2F) produced between 4 & 8
eggs a day. Two of the fish were rather young so I don't really know if
they were active participants or just voyeurs.
The eggs looked fine when I plucked them off the mops and placed them in a
small tank (4 litres) to hatch. Originally I used no Meth. Blue, relying on
aeration only to keep the eggs free of fungus.
The spawning continued but within a couple of days the first eggs started
to fungus up. After that I added Meth. Blue to hatching tank water. All
subsequent eggs too, eventually went clouded and disintegrated.
The spawning water was 26 degree's Celsius, 10-20ppm GH with a PH of about
6.8
The hatching water was about the same but I increased (I can assume) the KH
to about 40 ppm by using shellgrit.
The adults were conditioned & feed whilst spawning with freshly hatched
artemia. They also had a large amount algae to graze on.
I have taken these guys out of the spawning tank whilst I have a rethink.
The eggs are infertile, but I don't really know what the problem is. The
mellis spawned every day for nearly two weeks I find it hard to believe
that the male is that bad a shot! Maybe they are still to young?.
Does anyone have any suggestions.
Cheers.
Scott Hunt