Rainbows are laying eggs, but not eating them this time

[rangerd]

Third day and they're all gone, eaten this time. Guess we'll just have to wait for next time and hope for some fry then.

[coltin]

From my experience, cichlids need a bit of time to figure out this parenting thing. They usually start by eating the eggs, then they might eat the fry a few times, but eventually they learn to take care of them.

One thing that might help is making sure the adults are well-fed - they're less likely to see the eggs and fry as a snack if they're getting enough food, but no promises, it's not a guarantee.

[rangerd]

If they're attached to a rock in a cluster, chances are they're not from a rainbowfish, more likely cichlid eggs.

Thanks coltin, I was really hopeful this time, they didn't eat the eggs straight away. I made sure they had plenty of good quality food, they were doing a great job. The male seems to be the one eating the eggs, I saw him picking at them, had a mouth full of eggs. He wasn't eating them at first, just holding them in his mouth. The female was trying to stop him, forcing him away, but this morning they're all gone. Nothing else in there that could've eaten them. Hopefully next time we'll get some fry. I really like these fish, want to get some babies to grow out. I love watching their colour changes, watching them look around the tank. They seem quite intelligent, even if they are eating their own eggs.