Breeding True Percula Pair (!)

[Rosseau]

Hello everyone,

Ideally, if I am successful this thread could become where I document what happens to my clownfish and their (potential) broods.

Firstly however I am seeking advice as I am a long way away from raising clownfish from eggs.

Here's my setup thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1462890

Female

Male

Compliance the Anemone

I have a pair of true percula clowns hosting in a green S. Gigantea anemone.

Currently the animals are in a tank with a few potential egg predators (cleaner shrimp (2), emerald crab and hermits). When I write it out, I realize how few predators that is... regardless, it is not necessarily ideal for raising fry.

Status so far

The female clown appears to be bearing eggs yet not quite ready to lay (I'm basing this on pictures where the female is much more full looking).

Both clowns seem to be actively cleaning a patch of LR under the anemone.

The female has been observed 'digging' and clearing a space in the sand in front of the anemone.

The male is doing the twitching dance - he seems aware of what is going on.

Okay, now is where I need some advice.


I was about ready to move the anemone into another tank with upgrade lighting and conditions tailored for it - now I'm not so sure. I am afraid that a move may interrupt the clowns and as such they may stop breeding. Is this a valid concern?

I want to be able to harvest the fry and or eggs when possible... I suppose, either I need them in an isolated tank, or have the clown lay eggs onto something removable (i.e. a tile or piece of pottery). Does anyone have ideas?


I'll keep posting and am grateful of any advice in advance. Thank you!

 

[phender]

Yes a move will interrupt their breeding cycle, but they aren't really breeding yet, just going through the motions. The dancing, rock biting, etc. can go on for months before the pair actually starts to lay eggs. Once they are actually laying a move might interrupt them for a week or it may shut them down permanently (but usually not).

You don't need to have them in isolation or laying on something removable. Many people harvest the fry after they hatch from their regular reef tank. You will get fewer fry (maybe 150 instead of 300) but smaller numbers of fry are much easier to deal with and raise for a beginner anyway.

 

[Rosseau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13417467#post13417467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phender
Yes a move will interrupt their breeding cycle, but they aren't really breeding yet, just going through the motions. The dancing, rock biting, etc. can go on for months before the pair actually starts to lay eggs. Once they are actually laying a move might interrupt them for a week or it may shut them down permanently (but usually not).

You don't need to have them in isolation or laying on something removable. Many people harvest the fry after they hatch from their regular reef tank. You will get fewer fry (maybe 150 instead of 300) but smaller numbers of fry are much easier to deal with and raise for a beginner anyway.

Thanks for the response.

I'd like them moved into the new tank anyways for the sake of lighting and being able to control conditions better on my small reef.


So they may just be going through the motions, however, does this explain what I perceive as a pregnant-esque belly on the female? I suppose I just assumed that there were some eggs in there.

 

[phender]

Its not uncommon for the females to get a little fat and then be normal again in a couple days without laying eggs. I don't know if they start producing eggs as a trial run and then reabsorb them or what.

I'm not saying that she won't start laying tomorrow, I'm just saying that normally it still takes a while after you start noticing the first sight of cleaning behaviors and bellies getting fuller before a new couple starts laying. I have been faked out for 3-4 months and even years by fish doing the same things.

IME, the production of eggs happens pretty fast. (I have a pair of percs who have been spawning every two weeks for about 3 years). The female usually goes from normal to "Holy cow your fat" in about 2 days. Gradually getting fat sometimes means a little intestinal blockage that normally clears by itself.