Clowns are constantly laying eggs

Smotz · Dec 13, 2015

They're almost begging me to breed. I've read that it is a lot of trouble.
Every now and then they lay eggs on a removable rock.
Can I get some opinions? Should I try?

christ1991 · Dec 13, 2015

I would, I had a pair for a couple years and they still have not laid any eggs. Would be a fun try if not for sh**s and giggles

Smotz · Dec 13, 2015

Aww jeez..another project..

WindeyD · Dec 13, 2015

If mine were breeding I would not attempt to raise them:
1. It entails more work and as much as I enjoy it I already spend enough time on this hobby.
2. What to do with a ton of baby clownfish: I suppose I could sell them to my LFS or privately, but I would then feel morally responsible for the fate of each little fish.
3. Any critter spawning is just free food for my system.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!!

Smotz · Dec 14, 2015

WindeyD said:
If mine were breeding I would not attempt to raise them:
1. It entails more work and as much as I enjoy it I already spend enough time on this hobby.
2. What to do with a ton of baby clownfish: I suppose I could sell them to my LFS or privately, but I would then feel morally responsible for the fate of each little fish.
3. Any critter spawning is just free food for my system.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!!

These are the exact reasons I have not done it yet.

MT. Reefer · Dec 16, 2015

Smotz said:
These are the exact reasons I have not done it yet.

Ah, ya know you want to do it so you might as well start getting set up. Mine are laying about every 14 days. I'm just waiting till after Christmas then it's baby time!

rhdoug · Dec 16, 2015

I can tell you from experience it is a lot of work. I did it 3 or 4 times about 10 years ago with my gold stripe maroons. Very rewarding, (not monetarily) but the first couple of weeks are hell. It took several times before I got it even sort of right. The most I ever raised out of one batch was about 40. Get your hands on the book Clownfishes by Joyce Wilkerson if you are serious about it, and good luck!

Smotz · Dec 16, 2015

They lay like clickwork. If I do it, I'll have PLEANTY of chances!

MT. Reefer · Dec 16, 2015

rhdoug said:
I can tell you from experience it is a lot of work. I did it 3 or 4 times about 10 years ago with my gold stripe maroons. Very rewarding, (not monetarily) but the first couple of weeks are hell. It took several times before I got it even sort of right. The most I ever raised out of one batch was about 40. Get your hands on the book Clownfishes by Joyce Wilkerson if you are serious about it, and good luck!

I have that book as well. Best I've found for Clowns and Nems.

MT. Reefer · Dec 16, 2015

Smotz said:
They lay like clickwork. If I do it, I'll have PLEANTY of chances!

You'll do it!

Smotz · Dec 19, 2015

Not doing it - waaayyy too much trouble! Rotifiers, Phyto, bah!

Can't I just buy the Rotifiers? Everything I read says I need to culture & breed them. Jeez..

chelltom · Dec 21, 2015

Smotz said:
Not doing it - waaayyy too much trouble! Rotifiers, Phyto, bah!

Can't I just buy the Rotifiers? Everything I read says I need to culture & breed them. Jeez..

That may get expensive

Bunnee911 · Dec 21, 2015

I just got my rotifers from Carolina Clownfish. Going to learn them first. I did order a bottle of decapsulated brine shrimp. They hatch in a day at room temp. Not doing nano. Ordered RGComplete.

Smotz · Dec 21, 2015

I'll check that out..

RMS18 · Dec 22, 2015

If mine had babies i would for sure try and raise them, and if it worked out i would set up a separate tank that would be a clownfish/anemone tank like BRS has. Being all the clowns would be brothers and sisters you would have the best chances of them living together. To see like 30-40 clowns all in one small group would be awesome.

chessplayer86 · Jan 5, 2016

send them to me, I take care of them =)

Smotz · Jan 5, 2016

Is there a market for clownfish fry?

rhdoug · Jan 5, 2016

For me, it was a trade situation. Livestock for livestock. Nowhere near what I had invested in supplies and time. That being said I am glad I did it. I never went into it to make money. I did it to see if I could, and to have at least a few of the babies make it to adulthood, like in the wild. I kept one and just lost him this spring when a heater failed, he was 10.