Egg scattering

Just had a spawn last night but the eggs seem scattered all over the tank and the male is a bit clueless as to what to do with them. Not sure if it is because they are not fertilised. There are some in the nest, about 30 I guess and about 60 all over the tank. Any advice?

If the water level isn't already lowered to 3 inches or so then you should do so now. The lower the water level the better chance of the eggs on the floor of the tank hatching. I beleive it has something to do with the water pressure. You wouldn't think 10 inches of water depth would have pressure but they won't hatch very well or survive long in a full tank if left without a male taking care of them. He may come around and pick them up too. Either way it's less work on the male with a shorter distance to pick up the eggs and fry than having to swim up and down for several days in a full tank.

Thanks Chard. Unfortunately, I can't lower the water any more or my heater will burn out. I can see some eggs in the nest so I hope that at least there will be some spawn to report on. Some of the scattered eggs have gone bad. Some are still holding out. Current water depth is about 6 inches. This is the first time using a largish tank for spawning.

See if you can remove the fungused eggs so it doesn't get on the good ones. I have used bent wire coat hangers to hang the heater on so I can keep the water at a lower level. Then they came out with submersible heaters. If all else fails you can gather up the eggs and put them in a floating tub with methylene blue and change the water a couple times a day until they are free swimming, then put them in the main tank.

Thanks Chard. I'll keep your advice in mind. A bit late now for this lot as it is now the end of day 2. Fingers crossed, we should get fry by tomorrow. I'm hoping that this will be a good spawn. It's HMPK x DTVT(?). Can never tell what sort of DT these short tailed female DTs are. They are both blue. Maybe I'll get photos up soon. Female is not a happy sight at the mo and is off her food.

I think that this spawn has gone bad, been 4 days and no fry

Deffo a bad spawn.

So sorry.