ddwatson Clown fish breeding project.

ddwatson

ddwatson

Member
I recently decided to start breeding clownfish. I have 11 pair of clowns 8 breeding and 3 other bonded (Hope they lay soon !). The 8 were active breeders before I moved them to this new setup. It has been about 3 weeks and only one has laid (solomon Island Percs), but I expect it will take them just a bit to get comfortable again. In addition to the clowns I have a pair of banggai Cardinals as well.

The types of clowns are Ocellaris, Platinums, Black Ice, Darwins (black Ocis), Cinnamon, Gold Stripe Maroons, Blue Stripe, and Mochas.

I will update the thread in just a bit with the different setups. I look forward to your feedback!
 
So here is the broodstock setup. It is 12 tanks that are a variety of sizes. There are 29's, 20's, and 1 10. It is all plumbed together into a 40 gallon rubbermaid trough that I used as the sump. The sump is full of live rock and ceramic pieces. The drains go into socks. It has two different returns 1 for the upper level and one for the lower level. The return pumps are both Mag 18. It has an Eshopps skimmer. I have been debating about putting a 20 gallon bioball tower on this as well but have not decided. What are your thoughts?

 
Here is the Larvae system. Pretty simple. Not central filtration. Just 10 gallon tanks (painted on sides now) with heaters, air stones, and lights.

 
This is the grow out system. These are 39 gallon tanks. It was unfinished in the pic but has since been complete. It is all plumbed together. It drains into a 40 gallon brute trash can full of K1 Kaldness media with a maxijet inside to keep it moving. Then a bulkhead drains from this into the sump through a sock. In the sump is a reef octopus skimmer and liverock. Finally the return is a external reeflow dart. I will try and update this picture soon.

 
Sometimes. I built the setup so when it is cold or rainy the wife can still put her car in the garage with plenty of room to work the tanks.
 
No not at all. I have been asked that a few times. But you should never start a vehicle in the garage without the garage door open. We don't. The door is always up when the car is running to ensure no exhaust pollutes the air in the garage.
 
My concern is not so much the fumes as it is the distraction. I have a pair that quit spawning when I rearranged the room they were in. Took 6 months for them to get comfortable again.

They see the outside as we see the inside. Distractions, loud noises, etc can cause disruptions. During one spawn, the kids started playing loud music and the clowns got freaked out and ate the eggs.

Nice setup you have, and I am not sure how you do the hatch tanks, I use water from the parent tank to start it all up while I wait for them to hatch. With your tanks across the room, how do you plan on that? Or do you have another method?

Thanks
 
Good point on the distraction. I guess my idea is that they will become accustom to their surroundings but if they don't spawn that will definitely be something to consider. Hatch night I do a water change and just transfer some of the water. Either through the pump and hose or sometimes just a 5 gallon bucket depending on what I feel like that night.

Here lately I have been transferring water a day or two early and getting a rotifer culture going in some green water. It has seemed to increase the survival rate.

I am finding the survival rate is more and more about the food quality and frequency. Now I am feeding 3 times a day. Once I feel my system has adjusted I am considering 4 times a day. I have read where breeders feed up to 5 times a day. Thoughts?
 
Feeding is good as long as it does not pollute the water, more feedings equals more waste to remove.

I'd add a long dark curtain in front of the breeders, give you enough room to walk between it and the tanks and it should block out distractions in the garage.
 
My platinums laid today for the first time. These were just bonded and had never laid prior to my purchasing them. It has only been about 3 to 4 weeks in the setup so I am pretty excited. I don't expect this one to be a good batch the first few usually aren't but they are laying and that's a great sign.

My Mocha's laid for the first time in the setup as well pretty good size clutch. I think it is a good sign they are getting accustom to the broodstock setup.
 
ddwatson said:
My platinums laid today for the first time. These were just bonded and had never laid prior to my purchasing them. It has only been about 3 to 4 weeks in the setup so I am pretty excited. I don't expect this one to be a good batch the first few usually aren't but they are laying and that's a great sign.
Click to expand...

Congrats can we see them ?
 
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