#$%@#$# clownfish

[Evansbr]

My oc. clowns seem to spawn on about anything, anywhere. I have a tile that goes in the tank and they spawn on it, but if I don't get it back in perfect they spawn on the glass next time around.
right now I have a huge nest on the glass and want to know if I can "scrape" it off right before hatch, wall it off with screen, ? I can't collect in the tank after hatch as the clowns "clean" the surface prepping before the next spawn before the eggs hatch, I have one hatch that is at 4 days, and already on day 2 of the next nest. thanks for any ideas.

 

[MimicTang]

let it hatch and use a flashlight to "lure" the fry

 

[Dman]

One word, "snagger"
I've pretty much stopped pulling nests all together. Snagger and a pen light and a tank of their very own the next day.

 

[Evansbr]

If I leave the nests in the tank until they hatch the clowns clean them off in prep for the next spawn before they get a chance, so very few actually hatch. I tried a snagger but there weren't many to snag. I moved to tiles and that works pretty good. but its a toss up if they spawn on tile or glass. I was thinking of dividing the tank the day before hatch with a tank divider, airstone for the eggs, and then a snagger once they hatch. they are spawning every 11 to 12 days. Then I'm worried about the disruption to the spawn frequency if I cut them off from the spawning area while the eggs hatch.

 

[mwp]

Then I'm worried about the disruption to the spawn frequency if I cut them off from the spawning area while the eggs hatch.

It sounds to me like they have no problems spawning on multiple surfaces, so why not prevent them from getting to the spawn and place another suitable surface (like tile) in for them to work with?

Just a thought based on the info you offered...

Matt

 

[Kathy55g]

What is your tank's temperature? If you can increase it by a degree throughout the incubation, the eggs will hatch perhaps a day sooner, and you can collect the larvae before the parents go on their cleaning spree.

 

[Kathy55g]

I have no experience, but I don't think that scraping the eggs off will work. They need their holdfast in order to hatch, I think....

 

[Evansbr]

thanks for the replies,
MWP, It can't hurt to try, I was just afraid that if they cant get to their chosen spawn area that they'll stop. my tank temp runs about 80, and the eggs are hatching in about 8 days. ( I just judge by lookin for eyeballs) the clowns are cleaning on day 8 and clear the nest prior to the hatch. The setup is in the basement and has 6- 20 gal tanks and a 50 gal sump. Summer I could boost temp a little but once winter hits its a battle to hold 78 without putting me in the electric bill poor house. does anyone wrap the tanks with anything to help insulate?