B&W Occs eating eggs...

[rkelman]

My B&W's have laid 4 good nests but have eaten the last 2. They just laid tonight and are eating them. If someone has a suggestion as to what I can do I'd appreciate it. I thought I stressed them out the last time but this time no one was near the tank.

 

[FB]

If you are going to lose the hole batch. I would pull them and try and do it without the parents. You could probably keep a small power head and bubbler in the tank until they reach hatching and then pull the power head. What have you got to loose???

FB

 

[rkelman]

I was thinking about doing that FB. They haven't eaten them all yet. I don't want to make matters worse either. I don't know if its something where I should just leave them alone and let nature take its course or not.. I'm hoping I can get some expert advice.

 

[FB]

Are you thinking that because you constantly take their eggs they are thinking of sueing you for emotional distress and now they can't stop eating their eggs.

 

[agsansoo]

LOL ... I think we're the ones with emotional distress ! Not the fish ... LOL

 

[rkelman]

Hmm maybe FB. I agree with agsansoo though.

 

[FB]

Speak for yourself im F F F F II I I NN NNN EEE.

 

[rkelman]

lol

 

[billsreef]

FB nailed it. Try pulling the eggs and incubating them seperate from the parents. If they are fertile, you'll get some hatch.

 

[rkelman]

Ok billsreef. Thanks for the advice.. I hate to do that I know the parents are the best at caring for the eggs usually... Thanks again.

 

[dalilgriffith]

I would have to interject and say that the clowns are most likely not happy about one of the parameters (sp?). Try changing there diet to a more diverse diet. They might not be getting the diet they think they need. I had this same issue and after paying attention to the conditions in the tank, I was able to get them to stop being canabilistic.

But you may just have f'ed up clowns who will never be happy for some unknown reason. If thats they case, good luck incubating. I've been less than successful in this technique. The key i believe is a subtle amount of flow over the eggs like the male would provide from fanning.

PS:
No, I have not read any book on clown fish nor do i profess to be the expert on them. What i can say is that I have learned from my mistakes (and in the last few months, these forums). What I say is what has worked for me in the past.

 

[rkelman]

Thanks dalilgriffith for your suggestions. I'm feeding my clowns 5 different foods including brine, emerald entree, formula one, and cyclopleeze. I might change it up for next week. If they start eating the next batch I'll try icubating them. I don't want to though.

 

[MYDRAAL]

In the book Clownfishes, she also mentions the diet possably being a problem in them eating the eggs "Not getting enough protein". Don't see why, what your feeding would be a problem, but a change up in diet may help. Let us know what works.

 

[MYDRAAL]

BTW, my maroons are doing the same thing( this is only their second batch). Still, I'm adding frozen squid and mussels to their diet to see if that helps. Hopefully it's because they've just started to spawn and haven't gotten it perfected yet. If I see any difference I'll let you know, I'm still learning myself, so maybe I can learn something new with you

 

[rkelman]

I'll let you know how I make out. I'm going to research some on Broodstock diet.

 

[FB]

I use a very simple recipe for feeding my clowns.

Fortinos sells a great "Seafood Medley" it's in the forzen seafood section and comes in a clear plastic bag. It has shrimp, squid and scallops. I take that throw it in the blender. I add two tablespoons of pellet food, 1/2 cup of phyto, 5 sheets of Nori and any other you have lying around (even frozen food works well).

I blend it all up until i get a milkshake like mixture. I add RO water to make sure I get the right consistency. I fill 5 ziploc freezer bags very flat so I can just break a piece of and toss them in the frezzer. The fish absolutely love it. It last me at least 4 months and cost about $9.00 - $15.00.


EDIT: The juvenille clowns will start to eat it around week 4 and go nuts for it.

 

[rkelman]

Good idea.. I may just do that.