When Are My Severums Going To Get It Right?

[SouthernCross]

Hi all,

My severums (who I initially thought hated each other) have spawned a few times over the last couple of months - now is probably their fourth time. On the occasions I have been able to see the eggs, when initially laid they are a brown colour, before turning amber/more yellow (like in the pic below) after a few days, and then they sometimes seem to get fungus and/or they eat them. In the meantime both parents guard the area very vigilantly (never seen another fish get near the eggs), and seem to hover over the eggs (fanning?) during this time. After they eat them, they go back to ignoring each other for a week then they are at it again. What I want to know is why aren't the eggs progressing to wrigglers? What are the parents (or perhaps me, if I should be intervening) doing wrong? I don't plan to move them to a separate tank and breed 'seriously', I am just hoping to see nature take its course

I have heard it can sometimes take a pair awhile to 'figure it out' so to speak - How long/How many tries might it take before I see some wrigglers? Will I ever, given its a community tank?

Added a picture too for the fun of it

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[aquariumart22]

I know it takes awhile for new parents to get it right but I haven't had personal experience with it. I really want to say beautiful fish! One of the most attractive severums I've ever seen.

 

[SouthernCross]

Thanks very much! The one in the front is my male, he does look his best when they are spawning, he completely changes colour when they are not.

Anyone got any ideas??

 

[bonzo]

Any of our sevs have taken a least five goes before they got it right. Rotkeil spawned and eat eggs as soon as they were laid twice, then got them to wrigglers twice before eating them and then away they went rearing the fry without any bother. Heros severus five times eat eggs as soon as laid and now rear fine. We've found that we have to remove the fry at around 10/14 days after free swimming as the females look to spawn again leaving the fry to look after themselves, not good in a community set up.
How old are them eggs as there does not seen to be many fertile ones ? Fertile eggs stay dark in colour as duds will turn white.

 

[SouthernCross]

I think I took that pic about 4/5 days after they laid...

 

[SouthernCross]

............aaaand they are at it again. I think this will be the fourth time so maybe they might be getting better? Fingers crossed.