The clowns and other fish/inverts will eat the newly hatched fish... if they don't eat the eggs before they hatch.
They never eat the eggs before they hatch. And the eggs always hatch after the lights go out. By the next day, all the babies are gone. I assume the skimmer and quite a few rock flower anemones are responsible for their demise.
What fish, shrimp, and/or crabs are in the tank?
There's just the two percs as far as fish. No crabs, shrimp, etc. Actually, only H. magnifica, rock flower anemones (a bunch) and discosoma mushrooms. As far as filtration, there's only the skimmer, but there are power heads and the return from the sump. So maybe the impellers are involved. Years ago I had various cichlids and I still have livebearers. And despite all the perils, a few baby cichlids would always find a safe haven and the same with livebearers. But not with clownfish. I have a pair of maroons in a different tank that spawn regularly and have for a many years. And like the percs, not a sole survivor.
Yeah, cichlids are a whole different story.There's just the two percs as far as fish. No crabs, shrimp, etc. Actually, only H. magnifica, rock flower anemones (a bunch) and discosoma mushrooms. As far as filtration, there's only the skimmer, but there are power heads and the return from the sump. So maybe the impellers are involved. Years ago I had various cichlids and I still have livebearers. And despite all the perils, a few baby cichlids would always find a safe haven and the same with livebearers. But not with clownfish. I have a pair of maroons in a different tank that spawn regularly and have for a many years. And like the percs, not a sole survivor.
I've never actually gone to the trouble of a grow out tank. I am too lazy
Thank you! Maybe one of these days I will have the space and motivation to actually set up a grow-out/rearing tank for the fry. I'm sure it's satisfying to watch them grow, but I know it's labor intensive.
When you think about the size of the food that they need at birth, it's amazing that any survive in the wild. Just goes to show why a clownfish lays a couple hundred eggs (or more!) each time. The likelihood of even one surviving is minimal.
It seems like I'm not able to provide any helpful advice to you at the moment, but I must say, your fish are truly beautiful! I was wondering if it would be possible for you to share more about your tank setup and perhaps even do a tank reveal? Also, I'm quite curious to know what type of perculas you have in your tank, if you don't mind sharing that information.
Thank you! The tank is a 60 gallon system, cube. The percs were purchased from Petco, believe it or not. In Pasadena CA there is a Petco that has a decent saltwater section, or at least it did years ago when I got them. I got the female first, about 12 years ago. I let her settle in and then I got the smaller male. They almost immediately established who was dominant and submissive. Also, because magnificas are their preferred hosts in the wild, they almost immediately took to the mags--even though I doubt they had ever even seen an anemone.
Your tank is beautiful! Also i live next to that petco currently and you'll be pleased to know the saltwater side is still good. Every time I go even if just for cat litter I get distracted chatting with the aquatics staff.
Thank you for letting me know they're keeping their saltwater section in good shape. That's one of the only Petcos in the area that I know of that has worthwhile saltwater section.
