Motherly Duties

[Pennies2Cents]

We have a pair of mated Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish. We have had the famale for about 3 years and the male is still young 1yr, whom we got from StangChris.

Well, It took them a while to finally lay eggs and mate. The 1st batch was prob about 150 eggs, 2nd, 3rd & 4th have gotten quite bigger each time they mate.

Their mating pattern has gotten quite frequent lately the last month or so.

The female will begin to lay a new batch of eggs a couple of days (2) before the previous batch hatches. The male will fertilize the new batch, go back to the old batch take care of them until hatching and then will move on to the new batch. During this time (1 or 2 days) the female is watching closely over her new brood.. :wub:

He does alot of caring for the eggs and is very much protective of his bunch. :bighug: He much more than her.


My question: Is it normal that he does more of the caring after the eggs are layed and fertilized? Double Duty?

Here is a picture of the female for references.

Male:

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz118/Pennies2Cents/DSC_0934.jpg


Female:

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz118/Pennies2Cents/DSC_0983.jpg

[BIGBIRD123]

http://www.breedclownfish.com/

[Bill S]

Wow. That's the first time I've heard of them laying another batch while one is still hatching.

[Third Coast Tropical]

In my experience, the male will normally do 90% over care. He gaurds the eggs, she gaurds him. I have not ever had 2 clutches simulataneously. My maroons were spawning 1-3 days after the last ones hatched consistently for several months. It has since become less infrequent and egg quality has diminished.

[justahobby]

Very unique! Are you sure you didn't make this story up so you could show off those pictures? :rolleyes: :bigsmile::bigsmile:

[Pennies2Cents]

Lol nope story is true! :)

[Big_Pun]

aww my old orka is a daddy, very cool but aggressive fish especially in a 29 biocube, not enough room for other fish. when you get babies to survive I got first dibs to buy a couple lol.

[Pennies2Cents]

Really thinking hard about trying to raise them.. :) Thus, wanting a corner and or bio-cube tank. :)

[StevenSeas]

I know where you could find a prefect biocube ;)

[StevenSeas]

Ooo and I would like to know some of your keys to success, my tomatoes have yet to lay eggs, seem happy and do mating "rituals" just no eggs:(

[StevenSeas]

where do your clowns lay their eggs (pics)? Do you have a "rock" or piece of terracotta in there, i have heard of doing that but i dont know how much off a difference it makes. I just want mine to breed already !!!!!

[Pennies2Cents]

They are lying them on a piece of LR right above or below 1 of their RBTA's. I dont have pics at the moment But can try and get some later on today if its possible.

[StevenSeas]

ok, mine have a spot i think would be prefect, but then again im not a clownfish either, and they hang out in their pulsing xenia (anemone) forest all day long, and do what resembles what i have read as their mating ritual, just no eggs :(

[Pennies2Cents]

I can tell you the more he shakes (vigorously) and the more they constantly clean an area that is most likely where and when they will mate. :) He's probably trying to court her at the moment and get her attention...

[StevenSeas]

ok thanks for the info, i really wanna have my hand at trying to raise out some baby fry, any reefer can grow coral and frag it, how many people can say they have clowns that were born and raised in their own tank :) only time will tell now i guess

[Pennies2Cents]

I can tell you this raising those little guys is alot of work. I haven't tried it yet but honestly I am more than willing. I have read & heard to care for these little fish is so hard, time consuming and takes lots of patience.

Look up some videos online for breeding percs or use the link above that BigBird provided. That will help you get going.

Good Luck.

[Big_Pun]

ok thanks for the info, i really wanna have my hand at trying to raise out some baby fry, any reefer can grow coral and frag it, how many people can say they have clowns that were born and raised in their own tank :) only time will tell now i guess


not all reefers can grow coral lol ive seen that first hand, good luck eve with the happy couple

[StevenSeas]

lol ok all too true, but yet we keep trying anyways and get the same results. Isnt that the definition of insanity? dang my gf was right i am insane

[Third Coast Tropical]

Remember, it is labor INTENSIVE. Not only do you have to contend with rearing the clown larvae, but also must rear live feeds and phyto (unless you want to drop some $$$ on algal paste)...It may sound easy, but it is not necessarily that. If you have a job and kids, it is going to be hard to do...if you have a lot of free time and space, and access to live feeds and plenty of water, then that reduces some of the pressure. Regardless, it is still not easy.

[Pennies2Cents]

Update, Its been a while since the happy couple laid any eggs.. Well, good news we got a new bunch of eggs on the back wall behind the XXL green carpet. Something must be right. :) We these eggs along with our baby bangaii cardinals coming tonight.. :)