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View Full Version : Scooter Blennies getting it on

Paul
21-01-07, 01:54
Every night under actinics my male and female starry dragonettes do their thing, and produce a decent amount of 'jizz' between them. The Scarlet hawkfish knows when they are going to 'do it' and hover around them for a free meal.
However, as i can't white balance my cam when the actinics are on i find it very difficult to get good footage of them doing it. Tonight when the MH was on they starrted their little routine early, so i was able to get the footage. There is no 'money shot' just some footage of them in courtship and the devious little hawkfish hanging around expecting a free supper ;)

Hope photobucket doesn't damage the vid too much ....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/Paulmalsop/Fish%20Tanks/2ft%20reef%20cube/th_scootvid.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/Paulmalsop/Fish%20Tanks/2ft%20reef%20cube/?action=view&current=scootvid.flv)
philworrall
21-01-07, 07:15
Brilliant :)
M14RSH
21-01-07, 07:39
very good, you must be proud of them!
sky1ine
21-01-07, 08:35
thats an excellent video, i love scooter blennys :) i've got one and he wont eat unless i target feed him with a pipette, pain in the arse, but bloody worth it!
jayessess
21-01-07, 10:07
Really enjoyed the video and soundtrack really made it!! Fascinating to see the behaviours of the members of the cast!

Was the action taking place in the two foot cube? If so, do you have the time to say a wee bit about your set up as I am currently toying with the idea of starting up a "nano-reef".

John
foes20
21-01-07, 10:33
wow how cool
Elvis Lives
21-01-07, 11:45
excellent, lovely looking fish too
Paul
21-01-07, 13:10
Really enjoyed the video and soundtrack really made it!! Fascinating to see the behaviours of the members of the cast!

Was the action taking place in the two foot cube? If so, do you have the time to say a wee bit about your set up as I am currently toying with the idea of starting up a "nano-reef".

John

Hi, yeah that was in the 2ft cube, i have just overcome a major A/V obstacle so expect more funky vids in the near future ;) My only issue now is that i can't white balance my fuji digi cam against the actinicts so its difficult to get to capture the 'real' action ;)

All the info you could ever need on my tank is in my tank thread here >> http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=192779 there are back links to the previous threads too so you can see set-up etc.
Mandarin Dragonet
21-01-07, 13:31
what changes (if any) did you make to induce spawning? Whats their diet (do you supplement it)?

Loved that video, you must be so proud! :)

have you tried saving any eggs?
Paul
21-01-07, 13:37
No changes, they have been doing it since i got them (about 9-10 months ago). As they are getting bigger the volume of sperm/eggs is increasing, but it is a nice food source for the other fish and corals, who seem to appreciate it :)


Not tried saving any eggs, they have not been bred in captivity to my knowledge, and i highly doubt i would be successful ;)
Mandarin Dragonet
21-01-07, 13:48
did you buy them as a pair or plonk two in and say "deal with it"? :)
Paul
21-01-07, 14:15
No not bought as a pair, i got them from KKC, they were in a tank with a couple others. They share the 2ft cube tank with a mandarin and get along fine.

Here they are when i first bought them (they look tiny!)

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/9282/redscoot7gm.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/8297/redscoot17hc.jpg
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8519/redscoot26ao.jpg

This is a size comparison to my ocellatus (who passed away while i was in Oz last summer sadly :()
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7390/puffyandredface8wt.jpg

Here are some recent shots of the male
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/Paulmalsop/Fish%20Tanks/2ft%20reef%20cube/DSCF0285.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b134/Paulmalsop/Fish%20Tanks/2ft%20reef%20cube/DSCF1264.jpg
Mandarin Dragonet
21-01-07, 14:53
theyre beautiful! are they easier to keep than the mandarin's or psychadelics?
many people say a 1.5ft cube couldn't house a single mandarin, are they just being negative?
triggerhappy
21-01-07, 14:55
Hi,
Great video and great fish! I recently lost my last Scooter, sad to say:(
He was the star of my tank, cost me £8, compared to the £££'s I have spent on the rest of the fish.
Do they do Oscars (the award, not the fish) on here? If so, you are due one! Great stuff!!!:) :) :)
Paul
21-01-07, 15:01
theyre beautiful! are they easier to keep than the mandarin's or psychadelics?
many people say a 1.5ft cube couldn't house a single mandarin, are they just being negative?

Same general requirements as mandarins. Probs a bit more forthcoming and active, with more character.
Paul
21-01-07, 15:02
Hi,
Do they do Oscars (the award, not the fish) on here? If so, you are due one! Great stuff!!!:) :) :)

I would have to ask someone to collect it on my behalf, as i fear i would cry :(
jayessess
21-01-07, 15:09
thanks for the link...will go and have a look see!
Mandarin Dragonet
21-01-07, 15:13
woot, i can fit one in a 14 g then :D
Psycho_Eddie
21-01-07, 16:49
Heya, i have a scooter benny which seems lonely, how can i tell if its male or female?, so i can get one to pair up with it??

Thanks.
Paul
21-01-07, 17:36
Anterior dorsal fin of male is longer and when he displays it is more colourful. I will hunt out some examples for you.
Publican
21-01-07, 21:23
Great Vid, fascinating :)
Paul
21-01-07, 22:13
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4938/scoot70zx.jpg
Male ocellatus

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5934/scootersmla0bk.jpg
Female ocellatus

The stellatus abide by the same rules, just different colours.

If you are looking for one in an lfs, the male anterior dorsal fin (his 'flag') lies towards his back and extends beyond the more posterior dorsal fin.