Clowns have spawned

[big red]

My skunk clowns have spawned for the first time :)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_4126.jpg

[jamieb]

fantastic mate, well done, you going to give raising them a go?
jamie

[big red]

Id like to try but am not holding out much hope. Still its nice to see theyre happy.

[Sebae]

Nice One,

Just curious why don't you try and raise them. They are one of the rarer species of clown so it would be well worth it.

Cheers,

Bob.

[big red]

Id be happy to give it a go but Im realistic & understand its not an easy thing to do.

Theyre on a large rock which if I tried to remove would probably collapse my whole aquascape, so i need to instead be on hand when they hatch to catch them - which is easier said than done. I believe they turn silver b4 hatching but theyre bound to do it overnight!

Even if I do catch them, then as I understand it theyre still very difficult to raise. Im used to dealing with rots & hatching bbs etc as Ive tried to raise my seahorse fry b4 but to date ive had 0% success with them. It can get very downheartening :(

I will certainly try though & any tips to make things easier would be appreciated.

[Sebae]

Hi,

They should hatch on the evening of the 8th day about an hour or so after lights out. The larvae are attracted to light so if you shine a torch on a spot on the bottom of the aquarium it should be easier to siphon them out.

Normally the larvae stand a better chance of survival if you remove them to a small simple 5 gallon rearing aquarium and drop the S.G slightly on the second day. do this slowly though, one drop at a time.

One other tip if you only fill the aquarium a third full for the first week or so you will increase the rotifer density.

Good luck.

Bob.

[dark_stranger]

Jamie, are they congratulations in order, dispite the troubles you have had recently with other tank inmates?

[big red]

No, I miss calculated the hatching by a day :(. They must have laid them a day earlier than I noticed. They have laid another lot now though :)

[urban_hippie]

Any updates?