Strange Clownfish Behavior

[55semireef]

With these past two days, I have observed a behavior that my Clarkiis usually don't display. They are becoming more aggressive and acting more cautious like they can sense there is a predator near by. For instance, my peppermint shrimp wondered by their Crispa and both of them tried to attack it. Fortunately the shrimp escaped because it is no match up against two aggressive Clarkiis. I have also noticed both of them at the same time nipping at a rock like they were cleaning it right by their H. Crispa. They have done this multiple times. Could they be preparing for a spawn? The female has been digging a lot lately with her tail as well.

Should I prepare a QT if I plan on attempting to raise the fry if they actaully do spawn?

Thanks

 

[Princess Di]

Mine pick at rocks all the time....but at spawning time they actually scrape it with their teeth. Sure sign of spawning. If you want to attempt to raise them I highly recommend getting Joyce Wilkerson's book on clownfish.

 

[tpdpercula]

My Clarkiis have yet to display this behaviour but ALL my true percs do this before spawning. All you can do is wait and see. Keep us posted.

 

[55semireef]

Princess Di, mine are not picking at this rock, they were scraping at it. They were scaping it with intensity too. I plan on ordering the Joyce Wilerson's book today.

Will keep you guys posted.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Mine don't get any more or less aggressive when they spawan ( about ever 3 weeks for the last 4 years), but they do scape at their spot a lot right before hand.

And since I re did the tank they are scraping more at one spot. I would say expect them to start laying eggs soon. I wouldn't worry about the first couple of batches, they tend to be smaller. And while I never attempt to raise the fry, I find a tile works nicely -- that way you can just move the tile to the rearing take.

 

[55semireef]

Good idea Toddrtrex.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks. At home I have a picture of them using the tile -- they don't seem to care if I take pictures of them spawning, I will post it when I get home.

 

[55semireef]

Cool, thanks!

 

[heap]

cool...i hope they get to laying soon.

is there a local club/friends you might be able to snag starter phyto/rotifer cultures from? might not hurt to get those started.

 

[55semireef]

Possibly Heap. I will look into it.

 

[Toddrtrex]

 

[55semireef]

Very nice. The Coralline algae makes it look more natural too.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I agree about the coraline, and it didn't bother them at all. Need to get that tile back in there -- took it out when I redid all the rock.

 

[55semireef]

Well it has been a while but my Clarkii's did finally spawn either today or yesterday. The eggs are very orange so I know it is recent.

I know for a fact I won't be able to rear my first batch of eggs but I think after I get the hang of it and discover new methods I will succeed at some point. I will be ordering the Joyce Wilkersons book now too.

Can anyone provide me any links on how to raise baby clownfish. This is a big step for me in the clownfish world.

BTW, there are not that many eggs as you can see but it is the first spawn after all.

Video:


I am also afraid the Crispa's tentacles are going to knock the eggs off...is this something I should worry about?

Is this a tank that I could raise the fry in or will I need something much bigger? Again I am a completely new to this so help me out here.

 

[TOURKID]

nice. congrates

my maroons have been laying eggs for about 2 months now. first the batches were every 2 weeks, now i havent seen eggs in awhile but shes really fat. maybe they are going to do every three weeks now, i donno.
My maroons lips turn completely white they scrape the rock so much.

Dont worry about the nem knocking them off, wont happen. I was worried at first too, but it doesent bother them, they are really sticky

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10222035#post10222035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TOURKID
nice. congrates

my maroons have been laying eggs for about 2 months now. first the batches were every 2 weeks, now i havent seen eggs in awhile but shes really fat. maybe they are going to do every three weeks now, i donno.
My maroons lips turn completely white they scrape the rock so much.

Dont worry about the nem knocking them off, wont happen. I was worried at first too, but it doesent bother them, they are really sticky

I also read somewhere that the clownfish protect them and move the tentacles out of the way in case they do start disturbing the eggs.

 

[TOURKID]

semi... yeah but thats not such a great thing.. the last batch of eggs was laid under my anem, and the male was so mean to the nem i thought it might die, every tip was biten and the male wouldent let the nem inflate.

 

[TOURKID]

found a pic. see where the eggs are? the nem usually covers that spot. also note how abused the tips were

Im glad its taking them longer to lay eggs now, more recovery time

 

[55semireef]

Well an odd thing happened and my eggs dissappeared during the night. I am assuming the parents ate them but I am not sure why. Maybe they were infertile or just a bad location. The bright side about it is it gives me more time to set up some rotifer cultures and green water bottles. Not to mention I still need to learn about this stuff.

 

[TOURKID]

semi, set up a tile before you do anything!! that way you can skip trying to catch the larve when they hatch.. I wish i would have.

Yeah they probley ate em, practice run