Bolivian Ram, Unsuccessful Mating

[FishLover66]

Hi everyone. I've had my three Bolivian rams for a few months now and I know I have one female and two males. The female has picked between the two males and spawned several times now--she's been VERY busy. LOL! Anyway, every time she has spawned, the eggs have never lasted. I'm not sure if they are picking at them, if they are being eaten by other fish (although the two parents are VERY protective), or they are just not developing.

The first couple times, I could tell that they were very inexperienced, but they really seem to both be very devoted now. Also, in the beginning, at least once, the eggs were still there even after several days--then they got fungusy.

I noticed that she laid eggs on a rock in the back corner with one of the males again yesterday and today 1/2 of them are gone. Is this normal?

How long should it take for them to hatch?

They are in a community tank with other small Amazonian-type fish, but none of them would get close enough to eat the eggs.

I'm not intending to breed them, but I thought it would be nice to watch their interaction and how they raise young. I just thought it would get a bit past the egg stage. Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Depending on temp, they should hatch in 2-3 days. Are you sure one is a male? Cichlid females will "spawn" with each other on occasion.

 

[FishLover66]

SERIOUSLY?! I never heard that before, but it's what I suspected in the beginning. I'm positive that one is male and I have at least one female. There is one that I'm really not sure of, but was convinced it was a girl when I first purchased her. But then she started spawning with the other girl. I'm so confused.

I'm going to have to try to get some good pictures of them and get someone to confirm their sexes for me.

Thanks for responding!