Parenthood

Valerie,

I think I heard somewhere that the water should be treated to stop the eggs from being altered by fungus. Do you know what product should be used?

I always used Methylene Blue, in no particular dilution - just enough to turn the water a fairly distinct blue colour...but I have never been convinced that it actually worked as a very efficient fungicide. This was in water the eggs were removed to, if they could be left with the parents to tend my opinion was that the adults would efficiently deal with infertile eggs and remove them before fungus ever had an opportunity to develop. I have to say that in my observation infertile eggs were the only ones to become affected with fungus, all 'good' eggs remained 'pure' and fungus-free. However, the fungus on infertile/damaged eggs would be seen to spread over across the fertile ones but would not appear to adversely damage these ones. I have had fry develop underneath a 'haze' of fungus and become free-swimming just fine, fungus only appears to develop on damaged tissue or eggs.
I was speaking recently with a very proficient Angel Fish breeder and he told me he never uses any sort of disinfectant but keeps the water religiously clean, changing much of the water daily, his theory being that with water being this 'pure' fungus spores would not be in the water in sufficient numbers to 'colonise' the infertile eggs. I like this suggestion and it is one I plan to try out extensively as soon as my 'fish room' is complete.
Other disinfectants suggested are Malachite Green, Acriflavine and Formalin, sometimes all together in various percentage mixtures. I even recall one breeder swearing by using pure untreated tap water - chlorine and all, to hatch the eggs in! He reasoned that the additions in the tap water were just the job to prevent fungus developing on the eggs - I will admit to having tried this ploy too but was left with no positive results to say if it did work!!!
But it reiterate that I feel if the eggs can possibly be left with the parents and remain unmolested they should be...these other suggestions are very much second best compromises.

John