Angel offspring

[Dave]

I bought two angel fish more than two years ago. Recently one of them
laid eggs on the filter tube. About a day later they both ate the
eggs. A few questions:
1. Since one of them laid eggs, does that necessarily mean I have a
pair? Or might I have two females?

2. Next time this happens, what's involved in raising the fry?

Thanks.

[NetMax]

"Dave" > wrote in message
om...
> I bought two angel fish more than two years ago. Recently one of them
> laid eggs on the filter tube. About a day later they both ate the
> eggs. A few questions:
> 1. Since one of them laid eggs, does that necessarily mean I have a
> pair? Or might I have two females?

You might have 2 females. Unfertilized eggs turn white and fuzzy if not
eaten or removed by the parents.

> 2. Next time this happens, what's involved in raising the fry?

It's not uncommon for Angels to eat the eggs, then sometimes the fry etc
etc. They need more practice than other cichlids to get it right (if
they even get it right). What to do next depends on whether you have a
pair or not. They will probably lay eggs again, improving your ability
to make any decisions as to what changes are needed. Raising Angel fry
is the same as most any substrate spawning cichlids, have some freshly
hatched brine shrimp ready (or the frozen version of it). As with many
cichlids (especially Angels) you will need to decide if you will be
leaving both, one or no adults with the fry. Books and/or googling the
newsgroup archives will produce many leads to Angelfish forums and
articles when you need more details.

ps: Removing both parents means you take over all parental
responsibilities (aerating the eggs and preventing fungus).
NetMax

> Thanks.

[Rick]

"Dave" > wrote in message
om...
> I bought two angel fish more than two years ago. Recently one of them
> laid eggs on the filter tube. About a day later they both ate the
> eggs. A few questions:
> 1. Since one of them laid eggs, does that necessarily mean I have a
> pair? Or might I have two females?
>
> 2. Next time this happens, what's involved in raising the fry?
>
> Thanks

you may very well have two females. They should spawn again in about 2 weeks
at which time you can view the breeding tubes. The female will be larger and
wider, looks somewhat like the end of a dull pencil lead. The male will be
thinner. From my experience the unfertilized eggs turn white but I have not
noticed them going fuzzy as if they fungused. Initially the fish will pick
off the white eggs however if unfertilized they all will quickly turn white
and simply fall off the leaf or rock that they were attached to.

Rick.