12 hr Clownfish Larvae

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12054402#post12054402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hendersonracing
how do the artificial rotifers do? will they survive on them and not live?

Similar to above, I never observed any noticeable feeding on artificial rotifers eihter (A.P.R. by OSI), this was also evident by the fact they were all usually dead by the end of day 2 with or without water changes. I've seen good results (anecdotal) using it as coral/invert feed though.

As a side note, the same thing happened last night. I did a small water change and replaced with water from the broodstock tank. 30 minutes later I added some phyto (warmed to room temperature this time) to hopefully help contine co-culturing rotifers and to get the larvae off the side and turned the lights off. Concerned, I turned the lights on and waited 30 minutes and only a handful of larvae were swimming, and most were doing akward spirals. The rest of the larvae were laying on the bottom, not on their sides but not moving either. I immediately did another water change, almost 100%, and replaced with water from the broodstock tank. I lost 10-12 fry but the remainder were back to normal and swimming in about 20-30 minutes. Maybe I am misreading the behavior?...although the fry death seems odd to be a coincidence. I did nothing different the night of day 2 and everthing was fine. Oddly enough, several of the siphoned larvae that looked like they were "on their way out" during the water change are swimming in the bucket of siphoned water this morning. Several did the same the night of day 1 and I returned them to the larval tank. Had I not had the dissappoinment of watching many clutches starve and die I would likely be more tempted to let a night run its course, but mentally I needed to at least get a few towards metamorphosis to be having fun again.

I typically use a bit of Amquel.
 
from your video the light your using over the larvae tank is way to bright. You only need like a 5 watt bulb. This is why they are all moving to the sides of the tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12059553#post12059553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CT Clownfish
from your video the light your using over the larvae tank is way to bright. You only need like a 5 watt bulb. This is why they are all moving to the sides of the tank.

I think it's mostly the painted sides, as they are not doing any headstands. Although I can likely try ambient light next batch i raise. At want day does everyone increase the light? Wilkerson's book mentions by day 3 they can take full sunlight.
 
Iam using a four foot 40 w x 2 fluorescent fixture mounted to the ceiling about 3 feet away from the surface of the green tubs it seems to work very well
 
I've been taking off the side darkening "curtains" (actually black plastic garbage bags...lol) around day 5. I remove the curtains when I turn off the lights that night so that the fry get their first look at side lights with the sunrise and gradual light increase. I just think this way it's not such a shock to have alot of light all of a sudden. This is also the time when I introduce some bbs which may be easier for them to see.

I also use a 5 watt bulb in my fry tank the first week or so then I use a 15 watt grow light.
 
Thanks for all the lighting comparisons!

IF I can remove the dark sides (today is Day 6), does that also mean I should no longer have to put in phyto to darken the water?
 
Day 6 - Moved over to brine shrimp, it has been interesting trying to get the hang of feeding...but not overfeeding. Trying to judge is a hoot.
 
As of this morning, I have approximately 50 larvae remaining. My pair spawn every 18 days. I was actually fairly suprised, almost a year ago the female of the pair at that time seemed to get eggbound and died. However, within 2-3 months the male had turned into a female and spawned with a newly introduced male about 1-2 months after that. I was expecting a long time without the excitement of eggs.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12074089#post12074089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HoopsGuru
Day 6 - Moved over to brine shrimp, it has been interesting trying to get the hang of feeding...but not overfeeding. Trying to judge is a hoot.

I like to aim for enough rots/nauplii that any larvae doesn't have to swim more than 1 1/2 lengths before bumping into food ;)
 
So, with Ocellaris, is it safe to say I don't have to worry about them eating brine nauplii until they rupture? I read this about Clarkii clowns in Wilkerson's book but she did not go into any other specifics with other species.
 
Interesting Day 7 behavior, the larva are beginning to show orange coloration and their tail is no longer frantic vibrations on some but more of a back and forth waggle. I suppose metamorphosis is around the corner.
 
Day 7 - 11:55pm....a few larvae display first white head band.

11192clownwithband.jpg
 
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