What do firemoutheggs look like

[Emily]

ok i have a firehead (a female) and a firemouth (male i think) in a 55 with an armoured catfish and a pleco. i thought maybe the two cichlids had spawned b/c they took turns watching the eggs. but then i found another clutch of eggs on another shell, my firehead has laid eggs b4 but they haven't ever been fertilized, so would they look different if they were? i noticed the first clutch of eggs is clear and the other batch is kinda clear brown, so i am completly confused. the only thing i can really guess is that they cichlids are both female. just wondering b/c they are taking turns guarding and fanning both clutches of eggs. i hope someone has some helpful information........thanks emily

 

[SoulFish]

fire head as in Vieja synspilum ?

 

[Emily]

yeah that would be the firehead, she has laid eggs quite a few times but no male synspilum so.....you can figure the rest. It is a great fish though.

 

[SoulFish]

hm firemouths lay a couple 100 clearish yellow eggs, if it is a pair it may be possible that they are breeding together (however unlikely) if they do produce hobby plz cull the fry, I would look into completeing on of the pairs, what size tank is it?

 

[Emily]

the tank is a 55, but i think if the eggs don't hatch in 3-4 days like they're supposed to i think it will be a safe bet that they are both female. i think now after looking at the eggs a little more, that they are about most definantly two different types of eggs, the other clutch that they are taking turns defending look nothing like firehead eggs, too small and too yellowish, some of both clutches are starting to fungus. i think i will look into buying another firemouth on my next trip to kansas city. the firemouth i have really tricked me b/c of her (i think??) long pointed finnage, oh well.

 

[Emily]

yeah
none of the eggs hatched so im pretty sure they are both safe (and female) so life is good again.....but now i'm looking into buying some more firemouths, since i have really given up on trying to find any male synspilum, too rare around the likes of kansas (oz) kinda sucks though, i really would like some synspilum, they are a nice fish to have around. kinda discouraging to have only seen 2 so far (which i had bought, but the other died while someone was watching it) sigh** they sure aren't a very well known fish i guess..