Moving and transporting spawning clownfish

[NH Fish]

I am interested in buying a pair of spawning clownfish. I would like to know the best was to move them as to not interrupt their cycle too much. I will be picking them up so there will be no shipping involved. My thoughts are that I should get them on about the 5-6th day after they lay. I would take the pot with the eggs also. Put them both in a bucket with the pot. By the 6th day she should have eggs in her belly ready to go again. Also with the eggs in the pot, I'm thinking that they may get right back to business by tending them.
What are your thoughts on this?

 

[ernieq]

Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. Clowns will breed when they feel safe and the conditions are right. Moving the eggs with them, does not guarantee that they will spawn or will even take care of the ones you are taking with them. You may get lucky though, and it's worth a try.

 

[NH Fish]

Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. Clowns will breed when they feel safe and the conditions are right. Moving the eggs with them, does not guarantee that they will spawn or will even take care of the ones you are taking with them. You may get lucky though, and it's worth a try.

I know they might take awhile to spawn again and wont be saving this spawn. just trying to make it a comfortable as possible while transporting. Less stress, More success!!!:dance:

 

[reefstew]

That in my opinion would be best as long as the pot does not move in the bucket to hurt or stress the fish. They will probably not spawn again for a few months. Check every detail with the seller. What foods & how much, what kind of lights & how long are they on, water perimeters & temperature.

 

[Jaypilot]

I did this with a pair of tomatoes and they didn't miss a beat. They even continued to fan and care for the eggs in the pot all the way up until I removed the pot. From that first clutch I still have about 50 clowns, there should have been a lot more but it was my first pair and I had a lot of learning to do.

 

[NH Fish]

Well I had no issues moving the clowns. I wedged the pot in a bucket so it couldn't move. After the two hour drive I started acclimating them. They were tending the eggs while still in the bucket and eating too. They were back to fanning and tending the eggs as soon as I put them I'm the tank. Eggs should hatch tonight. Her belly is fat again with eggs. Hopefully they will continue with no interruption. It would be amazing if they did.

 

[NH Fish]

I did this with a pair of tomatoes and they didn't miss a beat. They even continued to fan and care for the eggs in the pot all the way up until I removed the pot. From that first clutch I still have about 50 clowns, there should have been a lot more but it was my first pair and I had a lot of learning to do.

You are right about the learning curve. It's a lot more work than one would think. Just one breeding pair can keep you busy. I now have 3 with 2 more almost ready to start.

 

[NH Fish]

Well the eggs hatched last night. I'm guessing 100-150 alive and kicking. female is big and fat and should lay tomorrow or Sunday. I may have pulled off this move without stressing them too much.