bred and gone

So yesterday the koi female that I've named Shirley had been very energetically cleaning the airlift tube, and the male was making repeated passes- practice? but I didn't see any eggs yet. Then I moved the two male koi out, and the female promptly took up with the golden male. This happened in short order:

I don't know why it's a thrill to see them lay eggs, when I know I don't want to raise baby fish! but it was.

Didn't last too long, though.

The other fish promptly swarmed the corner, eating the eggs.

 The young parents couldn't keep them all away.

Then there was lots of squabbling in the corner, then Miss Beautiful drove everyone out and took over the spot. She's in breeding mood herself- maybe she was hoping another male would show up and she'd get to spawn too. The koi and gold pair moved to the other end of the tank and Shirley started cleaning that airlift tube. I disappointed her. I caught the gold male and moved him into the QT with his brothers. Earlier than I'd planned, but already found somebody to adopt them- another member of the local fish club.

So here's how my tank looks now (less one golden fish):

I have to say I'm very happy to see the festivums in there, among the plants. They hang out together more than I'd expected.

Festivums and angelfishes don't bother each other at all-

Later in the evening, Miss Beautiful gave up staking out her corner but chased the golden sisters around a lot- establishing herself as dominant. This morning all is calm again. My husband even remarked on it and I said "well, they don't really have anything to fight over anymore"- no mates or eggs. He asked if they might find that frustrating- probably, I suppose. I wonder if some of the females will eventually lay eggs anyway, Miss Beautiful never did on her own but I've heard of it happening with female angelfish companions. . . 

This morning trying to figure out why the temperature dropped in the tank. From 80° to 77°. I don't remember adjusting it down yesterday? I checked- the thermostat on the heater still set at eighty. I checked the cords (my cat climbed into the tank stand last night)- nothing was loose. I thought the power might have gone out briefly last night, but no clocks were blinking, and wouldn't the heater have brought the temp up again anyway? There was one aponogeton leaf touching the heater- I can't imagine that would affect how well it warms the tank (might just damage the leaf) but I reached in and moved it just in case. 

It would really annoy me if this heater's already dying. I've only had it a few years! I do have two backups- a fifty watt and a hundred watt- don't think that's enough for this 55 but I could put them both in there if need to while I go to the store buy a replacement. Argh.

I don't miss the golden boys at all, btw. I felt better once they were out of the tank and things calmed down, and glad to know they've gone to another home. I was ready and willing to house them for weeks until I placed them, kinda surprised it was less than twenty-four hours!