Clarkii Clowns Spawned, Ready to Hatch, What to Expect?

[JENnKerry]

Hi guys,

My friend has a pair of Clarkii Clowns that just layed their first clutch of eggs as NEW parents. I am a noob to this end of reef keeping. We can see all the little eyes in the eggs, its pretty cool!
So, to break it down, she saw these appear on Saturday 10/18 and read that it takes about 10 days or so for these to hatch.
Since then, they have been great parents, no egg eating YET and they are watchful of the nest. The tank is a 29 gallon with few tank mates. A small striped watchman gobi, a bow tie damsel and a Azura Damsel. The Damsels have always kept their distance, especially now.
What does she have to prepare for? Or is it a lost cause and they are bound to get eaten? I dont have any advice cause the only thing I have ever spawned is Koi and fancy pond fish. So.....dilema...dont know what to tell her. So, any pros out there that can give advice...please do so. Thanks!

 

[Toddrtrex]

At this point there isn't much that can be done.

If your friend is really interested in raising the fry they are going to have to set up a rearing tank --- a 5 gal will work --- and raise "rots" to feed the fry. Can try to catch the fry right when they hatch, but that could be difficult. Another way would be be slowly move a ceramic tile close to where they are laying the eggs, and getting them to lay on that. Then remove the tile -- with eggs -- to the rearing tank. Would need an air stone in the rearing tank to simulate the fanning that the parents do.

A really good place to start would be to pick up Joyce Wilkerson's book.