Chromis Spawning in SPS

[ScottMcN1]

Anybody had any issues with Chromis cleaning areas off on branching SPS to spawn? I have gone about 3 years with 2 yellow Chromis in an SPS dominated tank and never had this issue.

In the last 2 weeks they have cleared 3 different areas to spawn only on my SPS. Anybody know if this is short term or if it goes on forever? Any SPS keepers out there with similar issues with a solution minus pulling the fish?

You can see how it's just some of the branches. You can see the eggs on one of the branches. Other branch is cleared for the next batch.

This is the male that's picking at my SPS.

 

[tannersmith2000]

Anybody had any issues with Chromis cleaning areas off on branching SPS to spawn? I have gone about 3 years with 2 yellow Chromis in an SPS dominated tank and never had this issue.

In the last 2 weeks they have cleared 3 different areas to spawn only on my SPS. Anybody know if this is short term or if it goes on forever? Any SPS keepers out there with similar issues with a solution minus pulling the fish?

You can see how it's just some of the branches. You can see the eggs on one of the branches. Other branch is cleared for the next batch.

This is the male that's picking at my SPS.

I see your concern. Sucks that they are necrotizing (if this is even a word lol) your SPS like that.

Cool on the other hand that they are spawning. Would be cool to see if you could move the eggs to a separate system and try feeding the fry rotifers.

My green chromis spawn all the time in my FOWLR tank

 

[tdb320reef]

Interesting!

 

[Bill@IA]

Yes, I had the same problem with my Lemon Chromis, Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis. It was neat at first but now my group of 14 are picking at SPS
colonies all over my tank and leaving patches of eggs. Out they go!

 

[ScottMcN1]

Yes, I had the same problem with my Lemon Chromis, Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis. It was neat at first but now my group of 14 are picking at SPS

colonies all over my tank and leaving patches of eggs. Out they go!

How are you planning on getting them out? Tank year down? My tank has been up and running for years and that's not an option without some big frags and loss. What are you thinking?

 

[Bill@IA]

I am in exactly the same position as you so I will trap them or borrow a large Lionfish as a final resort.

 

[Dapg8gt]

That's interesting I have a single one (that I didn't even know was a chromis ) that took a liking to an aussie wild acro frag and went to town stripping it. Needless to say I was upset and tried to catch it without success. Well I was successful at making a bunch of accidental frags =)

It hasn't touched any others and I was able to save the piece by chopping and moving it. It's weird that even without a mate mine was stripping the acro. Eating it? Female just practicing? Idk but I now know I won't be adding another one to my system..

 

[ScottMcN1]

That's interesting I have a single one (that I didn't even know was a chromis ) that took a liking to an aussie wild acro frag and went to town stripping it. Needless to say I was upset and tried to catch it without success. Well I was successful at making a bunch of accidental frags =)

It hasn't touched any others and I was able to save the piece by chopping and moving it. It's weird that even without a mate mine was stripping the acro. Eating it? Female just practicing? Idk but I now know I won't be adding another one to my system..

Yea I got to do something to get them out. I don't think they eat the polyps, I think they are just clearing it so they can lay eggs. I read somewhere that if you possibly put some dead Acros in the tank they may end up using that as a spawning area. Mine sleeps at night in the acro and I have tried a couple times to grab him in the middle of the night but they are really quick.

Anybody have success catching one with a fish trap? I have a trap but I catch the same blenny daily with it. No luck on the Chromis.

 

[Borchers]

Sorry for them bugging the SPS but that's amazing that they are spawning like that. It's very cool to see it in our home systems, maybe break off the SPS with the eggs and try to rear them, good luck.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Well first off Congrats on having your fish spawn in your tank. Second they will continue to spawn for years to come and if you don't want them to do that you will need to remove them. The only thing I would think of is placing a fake SPS stag near the area they are spawning and they may except it. Or you will have to live with Nature in your tank.

Michael

 

[Bill@IA]

The trapping has begun.

The trapping has begun.

Caught the first and most dominate spawning Chromis.

Clipped one of the SPS branches with eggs and put it inside the trap for the night.

Found it inside guarding and fanning the eggs.

That was easy.

 

[ScottMcN1]

Caught the first and most dominate spawning Chromis.

Clipped one of the SPS branches with eggs and put it inside the trap for the night.

Found it inside guarding and fanning the eggs.

That was easy.

That's awesome ... Can't believe it was that easy. I unfortunately tore down half of my tank and put in a screen with weights on it to trap then to one side. Then I got them with a net.

Good plan you have if it happens again.

 

[Bill@IA]

That's awesome ... Can't believe it was that easy. I unfortunately tore down half of my tank and put in a screen with weights on it to trap then to one side. Then I got them with a net.

Good plan you have if it happens again.

Progress report:
My plan only seems to work on the larger Chromis that was in charge of guarding the egg cluster. (that I threw inside the trap)
The other Chromis I am getting by putting food inside the trap. Which also works on every other fish in the tank.

 

[dsun]

Sorry to hear they have to go. I am actually in the midst of breeding these guys. I have a harem (1 male, 2 female) that lay eggs almost every night. They initially went on my acros. But they settled down to one colony only. It was a big enough colony that the nesting didn't bother it. I was able to rehome them to a tile which allows me to remove the eggs prior to hatching.

I think it's interesting that you were able to lure the male into the trap with the eggs. Now we know they won't abandon the eggs if they are moved but will follow them instead. New discovery!