This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=8582652#post8582652
Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus) Breeding Log!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
- Status
mwp
In Memoriam
Another cool post as of late - another good vid of the Mandarin mating dance.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=976645
Matt
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=976645
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
11-20-06, 1:38 AM, WE HAVE A SPAWN!
Admittedly, I've taken about a month off from even bothering to watch for spawns. It's been a WELCOME break from the late night routine of turning off pumps, getting out of bed to check periodically for eggs, or sleeping mandarins.
I knew I was going to be up late tonight with an urgent project for work, so I took the opportunity to see if Pair #1 was still even bothering with spawning! Sure enough, they are, although I only observed a FEW eggs. Bottom line, there wasn't nearly enough to bother with and I'm not sure WHY...I THINK I may have overlooked the spawn earlier on when I briefly turned on the pumps (to remove surface scum). My other hypothesis is that they spawned in the caulerpa that's growing at the surface, as this is where I found the only small clumps of eggs...a mear bundle of 2 is all I initially found (which is what sent me into a tizzy search for more eggs).
My mandarin larval tank project isn't quite ready yet...not the burgeoning copepod population I'm looking for, and of course, with the GBG's surpassing my personal survival record today, and another imminent batch of clownfish, the Synchiropus attempts may be on hold a little while longer
That's the news...
Matt
Admittedly, I've taken about a month off from even bothering to watch for spawns. It's been a WELCOME break from the late night routine of turning off pumps, getting out of bed to check periodically for eggs, or sleeping mandarins.
I knew I was going to be up late tonight with an urgent project for work, so I took the opportunity to see if Pair #1 was still even bothering with spawning! Sure enough, they are, although I only observed a FEW eggs. Bottom line, there wasn't nearly enough to bother with and I'm not sure WHY...I THINK I may have overlooked the spawn earlier on when I briefly turned on the pumps (to remove surface scum). My other hypothesis is that they spawned in the caulerpa that's growing at the surface, as this is where I found the only small clumps of eggs...a mear bundle of 2 is all I initially found (which is what sent me into a tizzy search for more eggs).
My mandarin larval tank project isn't quite ready yet...not the burgeoning copepod population I'm looking for, and of course, with the GBG's surpassing my personal survival record today, and another imminent batch of clownfish, the Synchiropus attempts may be on hold a little while longer
That's the news...
Matt
The feeding density seems to affect success rates. Feeding too much is as bad as feeding too little. I listed the reference but I am unable to find my way back to the original thread since it was split. If you can find your way back, you will find the Moe reference for densities.
I was poking around some of the old "Advanced Aquarist" articles and came across some good information that you may want to dig into.
Although it appears counter-intuitive, it turns out that growth and survival can be equally reduced by a lack of food OR an over-abundance of food! The experiments revealed that the highest survival and growth of fish larvae was obtained by maintaining an approximate ratio of 10 rotifers per milliliter for densities between 25 and 50 fish larvae per liter (Tamaru et al. 1991).
Here is a link to the complete article of December 2003 on nutritional value of live foods.
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/invert.htm
Keep up the good work
Although it appears counter-intuitive, it turns out that growth and survival can be equally reduced by a lack of food OR an over-abundance of food! The experiments revealed that the highest survival and growth of fish larvae was obtained by maintaining an approximate ratio of 10 rotifers per milliliter for densities between 25 and 50 fish larvae per liter (Tamaru et al. 1991).
Here is a link to the complete article of December 2003 on nutritional value of live foods.
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/invert.htm
Keep up the good work
mwp
In Memoriam
The only news is that I've had success raising the Greenbanded Gobies through Metamorphasis and now have 20 or so baby adults of those. Considering that their larvae are significantly smaller than clownfish, that's a step in the right direction. I think I've said it before, but the most likely route will be to again attempt the Apogon leptacanthus to get them past the 45 day mark, and then back to the mandarins, in the meantime also perfecting my rearing of the Onyx Percs to help pay for this all in 2007
Matt
Matt
bboersma79
New member
nice work woth the gobies! Keep it up!
mwp
In Memoriam
Nothing new to report on the Mandarin front EXCEPT that my Nannochloris phyto culture is coming along nicely and ready to split into 2 cultures. Pod cultures as of late have diminished but there's still enough to get a tank started when I'm ready (which could be soon). It's a tossup between trying Apogon leptacanthus again, or perhaps doing another batch of Greenbanded Gobies, or utilizing the space for another batch of percula clownfish. Basically too many fish breeding and not enough tanks to rear them in. I'm probably at least 2-4 weeks off from being READY to try the mandarins again. Meanwhile, both pair #1 and #2 are doing well...Fatboy is still HUGE and has trouble keeping his weight up, but he's finally overcome the various maladies afflicting him since his introduction. Things are looking good!
Matt
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-1-07 - with a newly-vacant larval tank I turned my attention back to the Mandarins this evening. After lights out, I turned off the filtration in both tanks and kinda watched / listened. Both females are definitely "ripe"...fat and ready to spawn, so there was at least a fair chance, maybe 25%, that I'd get a double spawn tonight. Heck, I'd work with that many eggs!
Well, Pair #1 botched their spawning attempt...I heard a splash and looked into the tank to discover Male #1 stuck between the surface skimmer and the side of the tank, his head stuck out of the water. I got him out and he "fluttered" down to the bottom kinda backwards and diagonally, his head still pointed towards the surface of the tank. I took my eyes off him for a second and when I looked back, I couldn't find him. I'm assuming he's now recovered from this small trauma (don't know how long he was stuck there) and sleeping somewhere well hidden. We'll find out tomorrow I guess.
Pair #2 also courted and I think tried to spawn, but nothing actually happened. I've since found both Fatboy and Female #2 asleep, so that's that for tonight.
The larval tank is empty with nothing in it other than clean water being brought up to temperature. I may watch again tomorrow night in the hopes of a double spawn..why not, right? I honestly had planned to utilize the empty larval tank for another Batch of Percula larvae (especially since I just killed 5-10 out of 49 from Batch VI), but maybe I'll get some Mandarins going, at least just to see how hatch rates are (as you know, I haven't bothered for a couple months now)...
FWIW,
Matt
Well, Pair #1 botched their spawning attempt...I heard a splash and looked into the tank to discover Male #1 stuck between the surface skimmer and the side of the tank, his head stuck out of the water. I got him out and he "fluttered" down to the bottom kinda backwards and diagonally, his head still pointed towards the surface of the tank. I took my eyes off him for a second and when I looked back, I couldn't find him. I'm assuming he's now recovered from this small trauma (don't know how long he was stuck there) and sleeping somewhere well hidden. We'll find out tomorrow I guess.
Pair #2 also courted and I think tried to spawn, but nothing actually happened. I've since found both Fatboy and Female #2 asleep, so that's that for tonight.
The larval tank is empty with nothing in it other than clean water being brought up to temperature. I may watch again tomorrow night in the hopes of a double spawn..why not, right? I honestly had planned to utilize the empty larval tank for another Batch of Percula larvae (especially since I just killed 5-10 out of 49 from Batch VI), but maybe I'll get some Mandarins going, at least just to see how hatch rates are (as you know, I haven't bothered for a couple months now)...
FWIW,
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-5-07, Pair #1 is courting and the lights aren't even off yet - the female is FAT and definitely showing interest. Since I just filled my 2nd larval tank with 200+ baby percs, I probably won't be rearing yet, but I MAY spend the time to collect the eggs and see what kind of hatch rate I get..it's been a WHILE now (2-3 months) since I bothered...
Matt
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
It's a sad evening for Female #2 - as the lights went out, and her Red Scooter Blenny tankmates are courting, female #2 went up into the water column in search of her mate...obviously found no one (but I guess I'll have to find her a new mate soon 
)
Pair #1 is just going about their business, they *may* spawn tonight...some preliminary evening displays going on but no rising yet.
FWIW,
Matt
)Pair #1 is just going about their business, they *may* spawn tonight...some preliminary evening displays going on but no rising yet.
FWIW,
Matt
- Status
Similar threads
