I have a female Emperor Tetra that's belly is HUGE she keeps hiding in the log that's in the tank which is new for her. She is usually the tank boss. She keeps watch over my blind pleco I know that they are egg layers but will they carry eggs without a male being in the tank? This would be her first batch of eggs for as long as I have had her (about 5 months.) I have read that there is a male needed to fertilize which I don't have. I just wasn't sure if she'd lay the eggs still or is even carrying if there isn't a male.