Maxi's spawning

[miniwhinny]

There's hardly a day that's gone by over the past 2 weeks when one of my maxi's hasn't been spawning. If they're not spewing out sperm, then it's eggs!

It seems such a shame that they just get removed by filtration or eaten by other corals.

Anyone have any suggestions how to try to raise them?

 

[Woogiekids]

There was a helpful post on this on a thread I posted a few weeks ago (my maxi's do the same thing). Try searching, and it should pop up.

 

[BonsaiNut]

So they don't spawn synchronously? I.e. the males spawn first, and then it triggers the females to spawn the same night (a few minutes later?)

 

[miniwhinny]

So they don't spawn synchronously? I.e. the males spawn first, and then it triggers the females to spawn the same night (a few minutes later?)

I've discovered they are hermaphrodites - I've been watching them and the same anemone will send out sperm and then a few days later send out eggs...I was wondering if they self fertilize while the eggs are inside...or at least the ones I've seen are!

Here's a couple of pics I took about 30 mins ago....this nem sent out sperm a couple of nights ago. Sorry she's ("it's") looking so shriveled...she looked awesome before she started but it really deflated her.

This was her two days ago

 

[miniwhinny]

There was a helpful post on this on a thread I posted a few weeks ago (my maxi's do the same thing). Try searching, and it should pop up.

Thanks...will go search.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Are you sure those are eggs and not larvae? I can't tell from the photo.

 

[ousnakebyte]

If you have a pipette or baster, try to extrace a few of the eggs/larvae. Place them in a bowl/plastic cup/whatever - maybe even clip them on the side of your tank so the temp is staying constant but water is not spilling over into the container.

Give them about day. Then, if you gently stir them, and they crumble, then you know they were not fertilized (eggs tend to disintegrate in about a day or less). If you see them actively swimming around or moving, then you may very well have ciliated larvae.

Of course, a dissecting scope is more than a little help here if you happen to have one of those.

Cheers
Mike

 

[miniwhinny]

Thanks.

I'll try that. I wasn't concerned about catching them - more wondering how to feed once I have them.

I presume they are eggs and not larvae just because they all look so perfectly white and round.

Most of this mornings eggs have disappeared so I'll wait for the next round to capture some.

I'll post what happens in case anyone is interested.

Again, thanks.