Pink skunk spawning.

[Toddrtrex]

So I have had this pair for about 2 years now, and was a fully bonded pair, but nothing in the terms of spawning. I have noticed that over the last week they have become a lot more animated with each other, and very vocal ( Yes, vocal, almost like a dog bark, and their whole body shakes when they do it ) whenever I was near the tank. At first I didn't think too much about that, I mean if I was them and had my big o' face in front of them, I would make noises too.

This morning their anemone ( a blue Haddoni ) was a bit retracted, which is normal for it when the lights are off. The anemone is usually in this spot,

FTS,

Close up,

When I got back home from running some errands it was retracted behind the rocks. At first didn't think much of it, it does that once in a while. But, then I noticed that the clowns were cleaning off a rock. Not sure if the anemone retracted on its own, or if the clowns made it do that so that they could get to the rock more.

Here is a picture of them cleaning the rock, can see the retracted anemone,

Cont.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I figured that they wouldn't be spawning tonight since this is the first time that I have seen them really cleaning off a rock. Though, since that rock is usually covered by the anemone it wasn't all that "dirty".

I made myself dinner, and they looked at the tank and they weren't cleaning it any longer. This is what I saw,

A bit further back,

The female's turn,

Male's turn,

Can see the female's depositor in this shot (( a lot smaller then the one that my female clarkii has -- in a different tank ))

Here is the male's. (( again smaller then my male clarkii's ))

They are still laying them, but figured I should leave them alone for a bit, but will try to get a picture of the nest when they are done. I don't expect it to be too large since this is their first one.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Edit...YAY! they are spawning.. are you going to try and raise the babies? That would be so cool if you had a tank full of pink skunks like flighty does. I think its funny when they get vocal..me its not a barking noise it sounds more like some one clicking their tongue. My chromis make this noise too, its just not nearly as loud.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Christina, I think you posted while I was making my second post, they are spawning as we speak, and there are pictures of it.

I can tell you that I am not going to attempt to raise the fry anytime soon, but now that I have two pairs of spawning clowns I make put some more thought into it.

I haven't seen a picture of flighty's tank, I will have to look, that would be pretty cool looking.

You should hear how loud they are too, can hear it over the TV, the first time they did it is freaked me out, since I didn't know where it was coming from.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Aww thats an awesome sight..congratulations

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks. Pretty happy about this. And at least someone in my house is having a good Saturday night.

 

[FUA]

very cool

 

[adtravels]

congrats

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks guys.

They have stopped for now, and the nest is fairly small, which I expected. I gave them some extra food tonight for their good work. Will take a picture of the nest in a bit.

 

[sugartooth]

WOW! So awesome! Congratulations.

If you decide to raise the fry, I have small tanks and equipment you are more than welcome to borrow in order to give it a try.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks.

Wow, you are the best. Just might have to take you up on that. I think once they are laying bigger nests, and I am more able to do things I just might have to give it a try. You rock.

 

[Toddrtrex]

The skunks were spawning again on Friday. Managed to get some better pictures then last time.

Their nests are getting a lot bigger now -- and so is their attitudes. Not too long ago I moved a juvi Potter's into this tank --- that has an existing Potter's. I was expecting the existing angel to cause some issue, but not a one. It was the pink skunks that caused some issues. Nothing major, but a lot of chasing and some nipped fins.

Anyways, here is the new batch of pictures.

The female's depositor is really visible in this shot.

 

[adtravels]

excellent photos todd, i like to see a progression thread, also not an easy species to get spawning, and a decent clutch size.
good work.

 

[Lmecher]

Nice : )

 

[dalston]

Very cool!!pink skunks are one of my favourite clowns, will you attempt to raise the fry?

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291630#post14291630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adtravels
excellent photos todd, i like to see a progression thread, also not an easy species to get spawning, and a decent clutch size.
good work.

Thanks a lot. Think the pictures would have been better if I had used my tri-pod, but it isn't in the most accessible spot -- which is stupid on my part.

I had always read that they weren't easy to get to spawn. Besides it taking a while (( about 2 years )) I didn't have to do anything special to get them started.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14292681#post14292681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lmecher
Nice : )

Just think, if you would have made it here about an hour sooner on Friday would have seen it in person.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14293207#post14293207 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dalston
Very cool!!pink skunks are one of my favourite clowns, will you attempt to raise the fry?

Thanks, I really like them -- under-rated in my opinion. I have been thinking about raising the fry, but until I get my back straighted out, I don't have the ability to raise the fry. Hopefully in the future.

On an odd note, my Clarkii pair just finished laying another batch -- or they took a break to eat --- which wouldn't be uncommon for them. I got a few pictures of just the eggs, but the battery died before I could upload the pictures.

 

[Lmecher]

Todd, I was wondering if it was before or after.
I hope one day you do raise the fry. If you do, I want to buy one, like I told you I really love skunks, they are very sweet and graceful : )

 

[Gig 'em]

Wow! Awesome. I hope they continue to spawn for you

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14297507#post14297507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lmecher
Todd, I was wondering if it was before or after.
I hope one day you do raise the fry. If you do, I want to buy one, like I told you I really love skunks, they are very sweet and graceful : )

Yea, it was pretty much right before you guys showed up --- think they finished 20 minutes before hand.

These are a sweet as they look. They are the ones that went after the juvi Potter's. But, it is really neat to hear them "bark" at me when I am looking at them too closely.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14297975#post14297975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gig 'em
Wow! Awesome. I hope they continue to spawn for you

Thanks, I am thinking that unless something major happens that they will continue. They didn't mind at all me taking pictures of them doing it.

 

[OrionN]

Very nice. Nice clam and anemones too.