Red Scooter Blenny / RSB (Synchiropus stellatus) Breeding Log!
- Thread starter mwp
- Start date
So many oz of butter,bake so many minutes.If you follow it,you get a fine cake.But if you´re a good chef,you can stray away and eventually improve the cake
mwp
In Memoriam
12-14-06 - This evening, I've added a new male Red Scooter Blenny. He's maybe 0.5" larger than the female...much smaller that our male that disappeared. The moment he went into the tank there was some pretty aggressive quarrelling..mouths open, all fins flaired (except dorsal fins). I turned the lights out after 15 minutes...the male is currently trying to make nice with the female, but I can't tell if she's with the program or not....the male is screaming up and down in the water column, almost as if to try to court, but it could also be simply the desire to ESCAPE the female!
I'll keep you all posted as warranted!
Matt
I'll keep you all posted as warranted!
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
12-29-06Haven't been paying too much attention to the RSB's lately, but it's worth mentioning that the aggression towards male #2 subsided a few days after introduction, and upon returning from our recent holiday away it appears that the two fish are now getting along without any issues. The male is still skinny..he takes frozen foods (brine, mysis) but hasn't really figured out the "feeding bowl" yet.
FWIW,
Matt
FWIW,
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-1-07 - This evening I sat and watched what is in essence our 2nd pair of Red Scooter Blennies (well actually watching the pairs of Mandarins, but the Scooters share the tank with Mandarin Pair #2). I'm happy to say that while still skinny, our #2 male RSB took down a few Formula 1 pellets this evening. Hopefully as the weeks go by he'll continue to feed well and put weight on.
I was surprised that despite his still emaciated condition, he's not above courting the female. I was further surprised that she's actually in fairly rotund condition...not necessarily spawning condition as I've come to recognize it in the Mandarins, but definitely on the plump side. She was thinner when I last recorded a spawn. Despite her apparent good condition, she had NO interest in the male's advances.
I gotta say I really miss our First Male...the dorsal fin on this younger male is hardly as impressive (considering he's small, barely larger than the female, whereas male #1 was probably 2.5 times as long and at least 4-6 times as massive as the female). I remember reading information that suggests that female Mandarins prefer to spawn with the largest males available. If this holds true to RSBs, then technically my choice for a replacement mate was a step down. I still have no clue what happened to our first male, and I haven't ever found a body (I suspect he inadvertently jumped and maybe our cat ate the evidence?).
FWIW,
Matt
I was surprised that despite his still emaciated condition, he's not above courting the female. I was further surprised that she's actually in fairly rotund condition...not necessarily spawning condition as I've come to recognize it in the Mandarins, but definitely on the plump side. She was thinner when I last recorded a spawn. Despite her apparent good condition, she had NO interest in the male's advances.
I gotta say I really miss our First Male...the dorsal fin on this younger male is hardly as impressive (considering he's small, barely larger than the female, whereas male #1 was probably 2.5 times as long and at least 4-6 times as massive as the female). I remember reading information that suggests that female Mandarins prefer to spawn with the largest males available. If this holds true to RSBs, then technically my choice for a replacement mate was a step down. I still have no clue what happened to our first male, and I haven't ever found a body (I suspect he inadvertently jumped and maybe our cat ate the evidence?).
FWIW,
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-7-07 - Since 9:45 PM central the RSB's have been dancing away...got vids, got pics...looks like it didn't take all that long to go from hating each other to a compatible couple 
The pump is off, the overhead MH is off, I'm leaving the abient room lights on for now so I can keep an eye on the tank (had to replace the fixture with a new one, so at the moment, no moonlights...). Worst case nothing will happen, best case, it'll be the first RSB spawn in a long time!
Matt
The pump is off, the overhead MH is off, I'm leaving the abient room lights on for now so I can keep an eye on the tank (had to replace the fixture with a new one, so at the moment, no moonlights...). Worst case nothing will happen, best case, it'll be the first RSB spawn in a long time!Matt
BrianPlankis
Premium Member
Fabulous pictures though!! It looks like they aren't even in water in some of those shots.
Brian
mwp
In Memoriam
1-18-07 - just after midnight I noticed again, more courtship. I haven't been trying on every night to check 'em or anything, but basically I AM curious to get a batch and try a hatch if nothing else. it's been going on for over an hour now, still no spawn. I think they're waiting for the phytoplankton culture lights to go out.
Matt
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-21-07 yesterday night, and now tonight, again I've noticed the RSBs doing their dance. The male has porked up considerably over the last couple weeks...things could start getting interesting around here. The main pump is off, and I'm keeping an eye on the tank perdiocally to check for any eggs...if I'm lucky enough to collect any you know I'll try for a hatch
FWIW,
Matt
FWIW,
Matt
mwp
In Memoriam
1-23-07 - once again, dancing RSB's. Too much other stuff on my plate (including sleep) to watch and wonder if eggs come tonight.
I'll probably stop posting "daily" updates on courtship activity, I think the last few weeks prove a couple points.
1. Pairing is BEYOND EASY...after a rough first day or two, it would seem that any male and female Synchiropus sp. pair can be put together to make a pair.
2. Once they're "in the mood", courtship seems to occur VERY frequently. I take it as a good sign, but as Luis experienced with his Synchiropus, courtship and dancing doesn't mean that eggs WILL be laid every day it occurs.
FWIW,
Matt
I'll probably stop posting "daily" updates on courtship activity, I think the last few weeks prove a couple points.
1. Pairing is BEYOND EASY...after a rough first day or two, it would seem that any male and female Synchiropus sp. pair can be put together to make a pair.
2. Once they're "in the mood", courtship seems to occur VERY frequently. I take it as a good sign, but as Luis experienced with his Synchiropus, courtship and dancing doesn't mean that eggs WILL be laid every day it occurs.
FWIW,
Matt
