Clown's spawned

[Mike O'Brien]

My clown's spawned today. I thought it was a strange thing to do at 6:00 pm, but I happy anyway.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/Mike0101/pics140.jpg

[Elite]

So cool. Are you going to try to raise them???

[Mike O'Brien]

Maybe an the next few month's I'll set something up to raise the fry, but more likley after these are gone I'll put a tile in there so when they spawn the next time I can just bring the tile with the egg's to my LFS where they have everything setup for raising fry.

[Elite]

How long do you have those clowns? I have a pair for almost 2 years and they don't do anything. Pretty suck :( .. I'm thinking about getting couple more and split them up.

[Mike O'Brien]

Maybe 4 month's now. They were already a breeding pair when I got them.

I had a feeling it was going to happen soon. The fish ahave been cleaning the rock latley and the female was pretty fat, more then usual I should say.

[Mike O'Brien]

Do you have an anemone Elite ?

[kiknchikn]

Congrats, that is very cool. Too bad you aren't a little closer, I'd buy a baby off you if any survived =P

[Mike O'Brien]

Thank's.

I'm not optomistic at all about their survival. There is really not much I can do now to save them. Maybe next time.

[Elite]

Do you have an anemone Elite ?
Used to have one ... Now I have 3 :D ..

They host in the RBTA :) ...

[reeferdude]

VERY COOL!

Once they pick a place that they are laying eggs will they change that easily? Just by putting a tile in? I have a pair of Calrkii's that spawn every 12 days like clockwork. The rock they lay them on is one of the base rocks in my tank so I can not take them out so just wondering if it really is as simple as putting in a tile. Also, at what point would you take the tile out and give it to your LFS?

[Mike O'Brien]

I'm just going to put the tile right where they are spawning now, it's right at the base of the anemone. The tile is easier for them to keep clean. I think they will take to it, but I haven't tried yet. I have seen many clown's spawning on the tile when there was rock available.

Once I know how long it takes for the eggs to hatch in my tank, I'll have a better idea, but the coloration changes on them a day or so before they are due to hatch. That's the time to transfer them.

[Byeager14]

you can also try the flashlight method instead of the tile. this way the clowns can take care of them up until they hatch.
Mike- i just read on wilkersons book of clowns that your temperature determines how many days it might take... 8 days for 80 deg. and 11 days for 76 deg.

[Mike O'Brien]

Thank's.

Unfortunatley the fish ate the egg's today.

I think they were stressing because of the Siganus virgatus that hang's in the cave with them. But who know's.

[oddyseas]

If they wont lay on a tile, suck them out with an airline syphon, and stick them in a little tumbler for a last chance

[Mike O'Brien]

They are ready to spawn this afternoon. I noticed a different behavior today though. While cleaning the rock, both fish are alternating between chewing on the anemone's base and chewing on the rock. You can see mucous coming off the anemone when they do it. I'm sure this has a purpose, but I've never really heard of this. I know they normally chew on the anemone, but this is more like applying mucous to the rock for something.

[Byeager14]

tell us how it goes :)

[Elite]

Mine does chew on the anemone when they lay eggs too. I think they're just making some room to lay eggs.

[Mike O'Brien]

The egg's are here, the male is manning the egg's while the female intimidates all my other fish. LOL

[aquaticobserver]

What type of tile were you able to substitute. If you had gotten too that is? I can only assume you had other nesting times since your last posting.
A friend and I had been able to keep a few alive for about 7 days. we had introduced freshly hatched baby brine close to the nesting area 3 times a day. But, there was no other fish in the tank with them at the time too.....
Hope you had great success with your next brood.

[Mike O'Brien]

They have been spawning regularly and eat the egg's every time the next day. I'm just waiting it out, I don't want to get into it at this time.

[Byeager14]

that's too wierd. does she eat during feedings?

[Mike O'Brien]

That would be an understatement. :)

[Byeager14]

i guess so... i highly doubt the femal perc doesn't have enough energy, though that would explain her eating the eggs. maybe she's giving too much her energy is making the eggs so she eats them. other than that it's the Siganus virgatus u said.

[Mike O'Brien]

It really could be alot of thing's. Any little thing can cause them to eat the brood or stop spawning all together. Another thing that get's them mad is that I like to keep the back glass clean, that make's it like a mirror and they attack their reflection all the time.

And it's the male that eat's the egg's. The female might take a few, but she just lay's the eggs and leaves them to the male to attend. Could be that he think's something is wrong with the egg's.

[bkclay469]

My Perc's have produced a new brood. I Thought it might be fun to nurture them a little. I have a couple of questions.

Other than canabalism, What are the main reasons that the eggs don't hatch in our systems?

Once hatched, what foods are required?

Any input is appreciated.

[Mike O'Brien]

Mine spawned today as well. I have less circulation as of yesterday. I'm going to see if that makes a difference.

Once they hatch, they need to be fed live food's, most use rotifer's and baby brine shrimp (decapsulated). You have to grow phyto as well to feed the live food. It's not an easy endeavor. Check out the thread of the month on RC. There is alot of info on the thread.

[bkclay469]

Crap, I just added more flow to my tank today. I am probably still at 1/2 capacity of your tunze though.

Until I learn how produce phyto and sustain rotifers, the fry will need to fend for themselves, lol.

couldn't find the RC link, would love better direction. I got lost in a 3 page, 5000G breeder warehouse bulid thread. Turns out the guy got fired and couldn't finish.

[Mike O'Brien]

I'll post it when I get home.

[Mike O'Brien]

Sorry, here is that link.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=934645

I can't believe it. I still have some eggs. They have never made it past the second day yet.

[aquaticobserver]

Perhaps the higher flow effects the embryo early development stage by either to much vibration or loosening of the eggs. Causing the embryo to die inside and this causing the parent to destroy the batch. Has your water temps changed a degree or two over the last few days since they were laid or just before? I know in fresh water fish the water temperature is crucial all through the reproduction cycle.

[Mike O'Brien]

No, the temp has been the same. Maybe they are just figuring out how to do this now.

[reeferdude]

How strange. I did notice when mine started that the eggs did not last long the first couple of times and there were not near as many as they lay now. The flow perplexes me as I just added a PH that blows from the back of the tank through the clowns tunnel/cave across the anemone and in turn the eggs and they are still spawning. Things that make you go HMMMMMM???? My bet would be that they are just getting the hang of it.

[Mike O'Brien]

I agree that it's not the flow. I think it's just a dumb male clown. LOL

[bkclay469]

Congrats Mike! I think that it takes a mated pair a few tries before the eggs survive. My eggs are starting to show eyes. My best guess is that they are 3-5 days old; I first noticed them last Friday. I think it's to late for me to get enough rotifers in order for this round. Will give it a go next time around.

Are you going to try and raise them Mike? Keep us posted; I'd love to compare notes.

[Mike O'Brien]

Thanks.

Honestly I don't think it's something I want to tackle anytime soon. Maybe when all my kids move out. LOL

[bkclay469]

LOL My Fiance rolled her eyes at the prospect of another 10 gallon tank. Thanks for the Link.

[Mike O'Brien]

LOL. I heard the same. She complained about the two tanks I have in the basement. Thing is they haven't even been running for over nine months and she didn't even know. This is why I dont listen to, or consult her in the first place. LOL

I'm more interested in starting an anemone farm down there. I think it would be alot easier.

[bkclay469]

I watched my clown fish eggs hatch last night. Everything was going well until the fry were sucked away in the current. LOL

I am in the process of setting up a 5 and 10 gallon tank for raising the Fry. I'lll be much better prepared for the next brood.

Does anyone in the Northeast have a good contact for Rotifer and phyto cultures???

[cindysue]

you guys are too funny sounds like my husband and I dont know, dont tell lol I have two allardiis and this morning they were really doing the love dance and kissing they were not paired when I bought them and I dont care if they mate but lots of fun to watch them shake, rattle and roll, seems since I add the anemones they do this more often. Will keep reading and watching. lol