Has this ever happened?

[Borchers]

Well tonight while down stairs I stopped to observe my tank while the Royal blue LED's were on.

Let me set the back story. I have a rescued Blue Mandarin and Spotted Mandarin goby in the same 120 system. One from a big box store and be other from a friend. I tried introduce the to each other and a few minutes later serious ruckus broke out between then. The spotted was moved to the fuge and that's where it stayed for a few months. Then I switched out fuge and placed the spotted mandarin in the main DT. It's now been 4 months on the new sump. Back to why I stopped. When I looked into the tank I saw both gobies sitting on top of a LR bridge. Here is where it gets good. I have not seen the Blue lately and was surprised to see him next to the spotted goby. Next thing you know

:eek1::bounce2::eek1:

Holy Crap! They are courting and looks like the are actually breeding. They were in full courtship swimming to the top water column then going belly to belly and the breaking up only to do it again. I watched this for 15 minutes. They continued even after I walked to the tank. I tried to get a video but its horrible and completely blue. She looks fat already like a pregnant fish. The blue turned out to be a male who's colors are insane right now

I mean has this happened to anyone? I tried to find anything on it and nothing.
I would think it has happened before maybe?

What do think?

Cross bred Mandarine Gobies
Blues and Spotted gobies.

 

[Borchers]

Anyone?

 

[Luis A M]

You´re saying you witnessed a spawn involving a S. picturatus and a S.splendidus?.(I´m not sure what your "blue mandarin"is)

 

[Borchers]

Sorry here is the proper names

Pterosynchiropus splendidus. psychedelic
Synchiropus picturatus.

 

[Luis A M]

Thanks.Indeed this is a cross breeding of the two colourful mandarin species:eek1:
I don´t think it has been reported before.It would be important if you could document it with pics or vids.And collect the eggs and check for development.

 

[Borchers]

I am trying to get a good video and photo. I am also posting this to MBI. I have a video but its as blue as it gets.

 

[Borchers]

About the eggs can you guys give me a hint as to water they would be hiding out. The male is not showing his self much. Is he protecting his nest. Do they do that?

 

[tektite]

No, the female will simply release the eggs at the top of their last ascent, she'll go to her sleeping place right afterwards. They'll float on the surface of the water. If they do become a mated pair and she releases eggs at the end of their dance, you'll have to turn off any circulation pumps and return pump and very gently scoop the eggs off the surface of the water. Put them in a container with some water in it, in the sump or somewhere, if the eggs are viable they'll hatch in a day. You'll see the little prolarvae swimming around, they're very very tiny!

 

[tektite]

Bad pics but you get the idea -

eggs:

fertilized egg after 12 hrs or so, if its good it'll have that line in it. Unfertilized eggs will turn translucent white.

newly hatched prolarva:

 

[Borchers]

Your awesome. Thanks for the info. I will be keeping an eye at night. Hoping that will have viable eggs.

 

[xtinataguba]

this is a good photo to share, a lot of tankers will surely learn from this!

 

[Borchers]

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=s8eXR9QWZb8

You can clearly see the male and female are different! Watch it in HD and they are really clear.

 

[lil urchin]

i hope they live - i wonder what that cross will look like