is this pre-spawning behavior?

[cdcreveling]

i bought these black & whites four weeks ago. they started this behavior about 5-7 days ago. i suspect that it is pre-spawning behavior, but i don't know how long this continues until they do "the deed".
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[downdeep]

That is exactly what they are doing.

 

[xtlosx]

Mine just started doing that a couple of weeks ago, and last weekend discovered they finally laid... Last night, I walked up to check the tank and they were doing the vertical mambo so seems like it happens often once they start.

Congrats, it's real neat.

 

[davocean]

Yep, cleaning a nice laying surface always happens first, you'll see eggs on that sand dollar very soon, should happen about every two weeks.

 

[cdcreveling]

already more than a month now and still no eggs!

 

[Bakes2]

It looks like the whole tank is enjoying the show

 

[ChaliceKing]

They can start a while before they spawn. How big are they

 

[cdcreveling]

They can start a while before they spawn. How big are they

i've always found this difficult to determine, but my best estimation is 2" for the male and 2-1/4" for the girl.

regards!

 

[EllisJuan]

The sand dollar is a good idea. I was trying to think of a flat surface I could provide for them at the base of their anemone to spawn on. My Picassos have been doing all their mating rituals for a month or so now, but have not laid yet. I was thinking offering them a good flat surface may help them along.

 

[souk]

The male cleaning is a good sign. But the best way to tell is when her belly gets bigger/fatter and she starts to clean an area. From my little experience, she picks the spot. So keep an eyes on her and you'll be able to tell.

 

[cdcreveling]

Female has also been cleaning the last couple of nights before lights out. Still can't tell if her stomach is getting bigger though.

 

[cdcreveling]

would it help if i moved them to their another tank?

 

[Anemone12]

NO. That can mess their spanwing time up and im you might. Have to wait a year. Mine did this for about 3motnhs and then I started feeding them a lot more and that was the trick. Try feeding them a lot more each day and they should spawn.

 

[D-Nak]

NO. That can mess their spanwing time up and im you might. Have to wait a year. Mine did this for about 3motnhs and then I started feeding them a lot more and that was the trick. Try feeding them a lot more each day and they should spawn.

I tend to agree with this. I fed my pair a lot and they spawned regularly (until their host anemone died and they stopped).

 

[cdcreveling]

i feed the tank 4 times a day. i feed just enough food that it can be consumed in 5-6 minutes, at which time the return pump kicks back on.

should i still feed more? is there a way to ensure the clowns are getting their share of the food?

 

[addictedreefer]

I wouldn't recommend feeding any more than that. However, you may want to try a more varied diet than usual - different types of frozen soaked in Selcon, high quality pellets, flakes, etc.

 

[cdcreveling]

i feed a equal parts of Hikari Marine S, Hikari Seaweed Extreme, and New Life There+A. i feed them on a timer. it's the only way i can manage to feed them 4 times a day at the same time every day. a couple of times a week they get a cube of frozen as a treat.

 

[Anemone12]

I've just been feeding mine pellets and frozen mysis.