On the 1 st January, the day after we flew back in from Malaysia, the Cory's welcomed me home with spattering of eggs around the tank. But I was so shagged, I forgot to collect any !

Anyhow, here's round 2 for this year, in some relatively difficult locations (for me!). About 350-400 eggs, I suppose. But mostly dud's, which seems the trend, unfortunately. I think I need to trial artificial insemination !!

I have 6 or 7, week old fry at the moment. Eggs shown.

vet to farmer - "so this is the soon to be pregnant daisy?"

farmer to vet - "yes, vetnery. i put a bucket of hot water and clean towels next to the pen like you asked. now i'll leave you to it if you don't mind. ... oh yea and there's a nail in the brye wall next to the pen that you can hang your trousers on".

I was just worried I'd suck the poor bugger dry !

I'm down to five. Four are looking real good and healthy. The fifth looks ok too, but seems a bit stunted. They're getting their pigment spots, and that line through the eye, that the young ones have.

I'm certain there has been a batch or two in the big tank, as well. I've spotted several smaller, and obviously younger Cory's, scuttling about. It's been a bloody long time since I've released any young Cory's into that tank.

I happy that it's possible for some of them to survive, and grow. With the foliage, I guess the Red Tail Black Shark, and the Clown Loaches are the biggest risk. Although I'm unfamiliar of any predatory behaviour in the two.

Remember all fish are opertunist feeders, so if it fits in the mouth ! Gone

Yeah, but I mentioned before, there are fish that will actively hunt down a smaller fish, and then there's those that go 'Ooops! What's that? Oh well, it tastes ok...'

Which is why i am very carefull with what i put in which tank, as i have some very good predators