Question:  What is the viability of discus eggs post ovulation?

Hi guys,

When discus eggs are being laid how quickly does the male discus have to cover them to make sure they are fertilized,  I have a couple of discus pairs that go about it in different ways.  One pair basically both do runs, one after the other, the other pair-the female lays quite a number of eggs then the male seems to then take interest and does his thing.  Both have had batches of equal fertilization rates 50% fertilized 50% unfertilized.   I would assume the quicker the better,  but could anyone give a timescale when it is just too long a wait.

thanks James (Big Tam)

from  the forum

Nice question James!

There are arguments from scientists that fish eggs can remain vialble for 10 hours after ovualtion at discus temperatures - but after total hatch drops rapidly. They even suggest that for some species of fish, 20 hours is the limit at these temperatures.

There are arguments that timing and other factors can have an effect on the transcription within the yolk and its ultimate survivability; therefore, it is not an experiment I would want to carry out with 'pets' but needless to say this sort of experiment could be maniplated appropriately by an in-vitro fertilisation study byt the likes of a god univerity such as Singapore University etc.

With the above in mind I have seen some 'hobby experts' post the time limit as 30 seconds.

Regards

Dougall