Do clownfish NEED a smooth surface to lay eggs on?

[ChipE]

I have a known spawning percula picasso pair. I have watched them spawn in person on a tile. They only had 2 floor tiles in a completely empty 15g-high tank.

I purchased them and moved them into their own 30g nuvo tank with nice sand, a piece of liverock (with other small pieces scatered around the tank), and a small gigantea anemone for them to frolic in (which they love).

They clean right next to their anemone furiously at night (only from 6pm-7pm after feeding, no other time). THey have only been cleaning for 1 month. They have been in the new tank for 2.5 months and haven't spawned once. The female is fed to saturation twice a day and cannot eat anymore.

Im wondering if the reason they havent spawned is because the liverock isnt very smooth. They clean different little areas to the right, not really in one particular place. The anemone is attached to the liverock, and its the only piece in the tank (6x6 inches). There is no smooth part of the rock at all.

I was thinking of glueing a frag tile over the spot they clean, but that might just **** them off and start the waiting cycle all over. Then again, it may cause them to spawn immediately, I dont know.

I should have filed down the liverock to be very smooth before I put it in. :/

 

[blackbeltmom]

The mated pair that I used to have, laid their eggs on live rock.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Yes they need a spot to spawn on. However they are not picky. They won't spawn on sand, but any more or less "immobile" object will do. Glass, rock, shell, pot, plastic... I've seen it all. They prefer smoother surfaces to rougher surfaces, but that won't stop them from using "sub-optimal" surfaces.

 

[mikelee35]

I've had them lay on glass, power heads, water outputs, live rock.
but usually it takes time for them to start laying again once moved, could start as early as a few weeks, but I've seen it take close to a year

Mike

 

[OrionN]

I move a pair on the day they suppose to spawn and they broadcast their spawn. Eggs stick everywhere the next morning. After that everything was fine. They got back to laying right on the tile. They prefer smooth surface but anything will do.

 

[ChipE]

I guess my rocks are smooth enough for my snowcasso/picasso.
Came home from work today:

Super excited.

 

[BonsaiNut]

I guess my rocks are smooth enough for my snowcasso/picasso.
Came home from work today:
Super excited.

Awesome! That is a really nice nest for their first attempt! Normally it takes a pair a few attempts to get that good!