Ideal Clownfish Conditions

[Pete H.]

Hello all,

I have a 20 gallon aquarium that I have a mated pair of black ocellaris clownfish I am hoping to breed. I was wondering what the ideal conditions are to help the fish such as temp, salinity, etc.

I have been reading up and wanted to know what has worked for recent people.

Thanks!

 

[Sport507]

An 8+ month old very established tank.

SG 1.025-1.026

Magnesium 1320-1400
Calcium 420-450
Alkalinity 8-10 dKH

Temp 80F

A 40+ gallon tank.

JMO

 

[hvacman250]

Let me start by saying I'm not an expert, but I do have 10 pair of clowns, some are breeding, and I have researched until I think Ive read it all. My info is based on hundreds of hours of research and my personal observations.

1. Black ocellaris are the toughest to get to breed.
2. They seem to breed better in higher temps (84-86*F)

Other than that, the only other advice I can give is: give them good water conditions. Higher temps than normal, longer lighting than normal (I run 84* and 14 hr lighting) Simulate planton blooms by flooding the tank with newly hatched brine shrimp occasionally. Feed them, and feed them some more. I try to feed minumum 4 times a day; up to 7-8 times if the day permits. Small amounts every 1-2 hrs.

Of course, I wouldnt even expect them to breed until they are at least 2-3 years old. I have read ONE person that said they had witnessed an 8 month old spawn, but I dont believe it. All but 2 of my pairs were bought from breeders as juvis, and never showed any spawning behavior unitl at least 1-1.5 yrs, putting them at 1.5 to 2 yrs old. Assume a small fish at a store is 6-9 months old.

 

[Clownfishfan]

By mated pair do you mean they are bonded,actualy spawning,or that's what they wre sold to you as?
One thing that you may want to instal on your tank is an algae turf scrubber,they remove nitrates and phosphates better than anything so your able to feed a whole lot more(underfed broodstock is a major contributor to unhealthy fry) with less water changes.
Otherwise ^^^ nailed it!

 

[ClownyReefer]

How much luck has anyone had attempting to breed picassos. Is the incidence fo picasso fry higher or the same with 1 or both picasso parents, or neither. I am new to this and trying to get as many questions answered as possible before I start.