Breed Clownfish | Saltwater Fish

[Jodi]

Oct 17th first batch of eggs. 110 gallon reef tank and 14 gal biocube ready for fry. Wish me luck!

[davek0819]

Jodi,
Good luck, keep us posted. What type of clowns??

[Jodi]

I have a pair of Percula clowns. I am not doing so well so far. It seems as though a silver eye appeared on day five today is day eight. Last night I waited and watched in the dark, nothing. Today throughout the day it seems as though I am down to about a dozen eggs. I am not sure if it is the other fish eating the eggs or they are hatching and I do not see them. Parents are still tending to last few.

[davek0819]

Couple thoughts....
I read a post where it was suggested that if the parents are hungry they might feel the need to snack as the fry are being hatched. One thought would be to feed your tank prior to hatching.

The night of the hatch I turned off all pumps etc when the lights go out so the water can calm down and no fear of them being sucked into the intake. All lights are turned off in the room. Shine a flashlight into the tank, thinking it's the moon the fry should swim towards the light. If you don't see anything, turn off the light and try again in 15-20 min. The night of the hatch both of my clowns will be at the eggs, fanning etc. I guessing to assist with the hatch. Shine your light onto the eggs every once in awhile to see if they are still there.

If you missed it they should give you another opputunity in two weeks. Mine usually hatch right after lights out, a couple times I showed up around 30 min after the lights went out to give them some time and I ended up missing it and only collected around 20. My clowns hatching all takes place in one night, some have posted that their fry hatch over a series of days.

[Jodi]

Well, first time was a bust. I think it was the other fish in the tank that ate most of the eggs. I tried to save the last few and was unsucessful. My 14 gal biocube is still not fully cycled. This weekend while I was out of town the clowns layed more eggs in the same place on the side of the tank.
Today I decided to build a tank divider out of plexi glass 17x26. Seems to be working great so far. My tang and coral beauty seem a little upset but the clowns content for now. I bought a mesh breeding tank I think I may try that after they hatch just in case mom and dad get hungary.

[kad]

I'm on about batch number 5 or 6. I have learned each time I have tried. My ocellaris clowns lay eggs in the same spot about every 2 weeks. The hatching has taken place on the 8th night like clockwork!

First batch I only collected a few and none survived. Second batch I missed. Third batch got eaten...I suspect a large snail since I have found him near the eggs since then. The clowns do a really great job of keeping everyone else away. Only ones they seem to have trouble with are the snails and long spined sea urchin.

I have a theory that after a few batches, maybe the eggs and fry have become more stable and/or healthier...?

Anyhow, last time I did as suggested and turned off all pumps, powerheads, etc. Left only the lunar lights on. After 30 mins...nothing. So I turned off the lunar lights as well...pitch darkness. And within a few minutes, when I shined my flashlight, there had to be a couple hundred fry!! Collected most of them.

Over the next 3 days they died off. I didn't use live rotifers and think I probably overfed the tank.

Anyhow, now that I have had a little trial and error, got a feel for things, I decided to get the live rotifers (got some on Ebay pretty good price). Got a 2.5gal tank set up, heater and all. Expecting new fry tomorrow so I hope it goes better, just going to keep trying.

One question I have...should I put an airstone in the fry tank?

Good luck to everyone

[rt2023]

I would put an airstone... but at a low setting just enough to move the water a little....

[davek0819]

I put the air stone below the heater as Wilkerson suggested to move the heated water around the tank. It also helps break up the small current produced by air stone.

Using the live rotifers with co-culturing in the fry tank you shouldn't have to worry about over feeding. Just a thought. Good Luck!!!