Breeding Ocell Clowns?

[volitan]

How hard is this to do? and what are the requirments? I have two ocell clowns and they are wrapped around eachothers Dorsel fins.. they are always with eachother.. does this mean they are a possible breeding pair? or just a normal ocell clown thing? I would like to play around with learning what it takes to get these little cute fish to breed.. and is a anemone that they host a Must?

[Pineapple House]

How hard is this to do? and what are the requirments? I have two ocell clowns and they are wrapped around eachothers Dorsel fins.. they are always with eachother.. does this mean they are a possible breeding pair? or just a normal ocell clown thing? I would like to play around with learning what it takes to get these little cute fish to breed.. and is a anemone that they host a Must?


Since I have no personal experience with these species of clowns, I will not answer your first questions. But, an anemone is not a must. In the wild, clownfish will need them to stay clear of most predators. In your aquarium, likely none of your tank mates will want to harm, or eat your clownfish. Clownfish will also host in a variety of corals. Colts, most Leathers, Kenya Trees, Green Star Polyps, Xenia, Frogspawns, torches, plates, goniopora , and the list goes on. Likely a nice Leather would do fine for them. An anemone might add some more color, and exoticness to your tank, but FWIW, something hardier would be in your interest.

As you might know already, anemones aren't too hardy. The average lifespan for an anemone in captivity is around 3 months, when in the wild it is about 1000 years, or even more! Anemones will also require very specific habitats, including the proper substrate, rock formation, lighting, current, feeding, and extremely stable water conditions.

If you must buy an anemone, make sure you buy it from a breeder, who has many anemones to choose from. More than likely be much more hardier, and able to survive in captivity much longer. Most of the time, your LFS's anemones will be fully bleached, with no zooxanthellae, small, deflated tentacles, foot ripped in multiple places, and parasetic worms. When you buy from a breeder, most likely your anemone would have full lish color from zooxanthellae, nice long fat tentacles, nice colouration in the foot, and no parasites. These most likely would have survived quite a while in captivity already, or born in captivity.

With that said, I really woudn't buy one unless you have read a lot about a certain species of anemone you wish to keep (perferably bubble tip), your aquarium meets its needs, and you buy one from a trustfull breeder.

PH =)

[volitan]

thanks for the reply PH.. anyone else have firsthand experience with breeding Ocellaris clowns? or know of a good informative source I should be looking at? I am really serious about wanting to get a breeding pair going and will setup a seperate tank just for the cause if I have too..

[phistio]

here's a bit of info...

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~laurelma/breeding.htm