Mine were the same. They will lay eggs and in my case the fry hatch out just as it's going dark. A quick Hoover up of the fry befor anyone eats them and away you go. I have fry in a breeding net that are 3 weeks old now and look like mini zebras. Dead easy. I have used liquifry 1,2, and now 3 with some brine shrimp too. Growing nicely, and it's the first time I have tried raising them.