Help with breeding.

Nicksarge · Feb 3, 2020

I’m a little new to the forum side of this hobby so I apologize if this is going in the wrong area. I have a 120 gallon mixed reef tank, with several fish including a pac. blue tang, yellow tang, flame fin, trio of Anthias, and even a zebra moray. However, this post isn’t about breeding those. The tank has been running for about a year and a half and I’ve had a pair of ORA lemon damsels for the majority of that time. I’ve noticed over the past few months that the female damsel has been building a nest in the back corner of the tank, basically just moving sand out and clearing the space. I woke up this past weekend to see a huge cluster of eggs on the glass. Despite all the fish in the tank, she has kept all of them away from her eggs, and it doesn’t look like she’s lost any of them. My question is how hard is it to raise them, and are there any articles about doing so. I know at some point I will have to move them out of the tank, and that is no problem, but I just need to know some basics to it. Thanks!

steallife904 · Feb 3, 2020

I have a pair of clowns who have had babies a few times. they are usually eaten or go into filters pretty fast. Its not an easy thing to do and I don't believe you could in the same tank. You would have to catch them and get them into there own tank. I believe one with an airstone because a filter will suck them up. the next part is getting the right food for them. Can be done but not simple at least.

Nicksarge · Feb 3, 2020

steallife904 said:
I have a pair of clowns who have had babies a few times. they are usually eaten or go into filters pretty fast. Its not an easy thing to do and I don't believe you could in the same tank. You would have to catch them and get them into there own tank. I believe one with an airstone because a filter will suck them up. the next part is getting the right food for them. Can be done but not simple at least.

One of my questions is if I need to remove the eggs now or leave them be and try to catch them when they hatch

Arthacker87 · Feb 4, 2020

I think the fish take care of them not sure if you can move eggs but it takes a full time effort. Gotta make rotifier ( I think spelled like that) until they can eat foods, multiple water changes for nitrate, slow flow etc

Fishnut · Feb 4, 2020

I would follow clown fish breeding strategies and leave the eggs in the tank as long as possible until you can see they are getting close to hatching. Use a razor and try to free the eggs to place into a small fry raising tank. Left in the big tank they will not survive ( filters, lack of food, other fish.) IMO leave the eggs in the tank to feed the other fish. If you want to try to breed them Your odds will increase if you remove the pair to their own tank and follow the clownfish breeders methods. It will be a labor of love.

ScottR · Feb 4, 2020

If you leave them in the tank, zero will make it. As someone mentioned, rotifers for food. You can do it but you need to keep a watchful eye on the tank and get them right as the first eggs start hatching. Probably not easy to do.

Nicksarge · Feb 4, 2020

Fishnut said:
I would follow clown fish breeding strategies and leave the eggs in the tank as long as possible until you can see they are getting close to hatching. Use a razor and try to free the eggs to place into a small fry raising tank. Left in the big tank they will not survive ( filters, lack of food, other fish.) IMO leave the eggs in the tank to feed the other fish. If you want to try to breed them Your odds will increase if you remove the pair to their own tank and follow the clownfish breeders methods. It will be a labor of love.

I think I may try putting them in my refugium. Have some micro foods down there living in the chaeto, if it doesn’t work it’s just water under the bridge