A tank full of eggs from Schistura Mahnerti or Poculi

[Robert]

Hi
I noticed two days ago that the tank was teeming with white spots floating around. I watched for a while and panicked that it was white spot because a few of my clowns had the white spots sticking to them (I lost most of my fish a year ago to white spot and never want that again). After watching for hours it was clear that the spots on the fish were not always there so I fed them and out came the 2 S. mahnerti or poculi (I have yet to positively identify these fish). One of them was very fat so I concluded that she was laying eggs and this was the source of the white spots in the water. A day later the water had cleared considerably.

Can anybody let me know if this is a sensible conclusion and advise if it is possible to breed these fish or if this will just be a free lunch for the other fish. I have had fish for 16 years but only started to do it properly over the last year since discovering LOL. They are in a 6x2x2 tank with sand, river manifold, bog wood, paddle stones and java fern. Tank mates are 12 Clowns, 6 Botia Striata, 1 YoYo, and 3 plecs.

Thanks
Robert

[mickthefish]

hi robert
from what youve said unless you have a fantastic current of water i don't think they are eggs, although the eggs are small they are not buoyant.

sorry
mick

[Robert]

Hi Mick

I am now intrigued as to what they were if not eggs.
The spots appeared to be slightly sticky as they were sticking to the fish and they were eating them off each other and picking at them in the water. I have 3 power heads creating a current in the tank. I will investigate further.

Thanks for the response.

Robert

[Mark in Vancouver]

Are these spots round? Or is it possible you have a planaria outbreak?

[Robert]

Hi Mark
I had never heard of these before but googled them and now know what to look for so will check. I fed them a piece of Broccoli stalk a week ago which they detached from the lead weight and it disappeared. I have been looking for it ever since, I suppose it is possible that this turned to mush and it was that which was floating in the tank. Most of the white spots were approx 0.5mm (0.02") but a few were slightly larger. I have never seen eggs before and it seemed the most logical conclusion because the S. Mahnerti has suddenly got so fat now.
Thanks for the advice.

Robert