P.maculatus eggs splashing

Something is both funny and sad just happened with my 2 P.maculatus (I’m not sure if they are a pair or both female...): I paid the fish room a visit, turning on the lights and startled the two. As they were startled, eggs 🥚(yes, big yellow eggs) splashing around the tank! (The funny part) Both immediately pick them up. I think they ate the eggs (the sad part). I couldn’t capture the eggs. When I began to turn the phone camera on they picked the last egg.

I checked a see both of their genitals are out, as in the video. My apology for my appearance in the glares 😅.