Pair of clowns

[stewmiester]

I have a pair of occelaris clowns that just recently started laying eggs. I was wondering what the troubles of breeding these fish might be? I know I will have to move them from the current tank, but was skeptical about doing so for fear that they might stop mating. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

 

[reefstew]

stewmiester? Hi this is Reef Stew! When you move a breeding pair of clown fish it will take anywhere from 1 -3 months to start breeding again. If you move them when eggs are present & move the eggs with them it shortens the time.

 

[stewmiester]

Hello, well the pair are in my 125, actually on the bottom under a rock. The rock is the base rock for my whole reef. I could move them when there out, but getting the eggs would be near impossible! Is it worth moving the fish alone?

 

[reefstew]

Hello, well the pair are in my 125, actually on the bottom under a rock. The rock is the base rock for my whole reef. I could move them when there out, but getting the eggs would be near impossible! Is it worth moving the fish alone?

You can do 1 of 2 things. Move the fish or place a clay pot or tile in the same place they are laying eggs & hope they lay eggs on it. They usually resume laying eggs faster if you move them with eggs present.

 

[Zooid]

If they start laying on the pot, why remove them from the tank unless you really want to? I've had my onyx/picasso pair laying on a pot in my main tank for a while now. My anemone covers the pot so it's not an eyesore. Just a thought. If you really want to move them, then I'd take reefstews suggestion and try to get them to lay on the pot. This, as he stated, will shorten (if not eliminate) the break in spawning. It will also get the fish used to their new egg substrate. Once they lay on the pot, they will continue to lay eggs on the pot (at least in my experience).
Good luck.

 

[john68camaro]

Plus one to previous posts. There is no need to move the adult out of the tank. I have my egg's in the tank and move them to a larve tank after hatch. Just cut the puts/flow and light on hatch night and 45minutes later. Hundreds of swimmers in the water. I then use a light and an airline tubing to get them into a larve tank.

 

[stewmiester]

the reason for the move, is that i honestly dont thing the eggs would make it to hatch night. i have a few nosey fish and they are always trying to get at the nest! ive removed the main problem fish and hope that they will resume there mating maybe this time i can get further in the process. thanks to all for the information.