Rock flower nems behavior question

ID-Reefer · Oct 28, 2021

Question. I have about 15 rock flower nems in my 240 gal mixed reef tank. Ive had most for about 7-8 months. All have seemed to be doing great. Only one or two have moved and I think one or two have disappeared. Tonight I noticed that several looked to be extending, like up off the sand bed or rock work. Then I noticed several spewing a milky substance - not the mucous waste I sometimes see. They all look good, good color and not shrunk at all. Is this some sort of spawning effort? I thought they just split like BTAs. Are they stressed or? These are my first rock flowers so I don’t have a lot of experience.

blaxsun · Oct 28, 2021

I believe you're correct.

muzikalmatt · Oct 28, 2021

Sounds like spawning to me. Congratulations! You're going to be a father! ;Playful

Keep an eye out for new baby nems!

hart24601 · Oct 28, 2021

They don’t split, at least if so it’s very rare. They do spawn and you will see babies in several months pop up!

ID-Reefer · Oct 28, 2021

Thanks for the input. Had no idea. Assume filtration and skimmer will eliminate most of the spawn but will be interesting to see if any babies appear.

i had about 20 BTAs (started with 2) and it was a chore getting them out. Rock flowers and the two mini carpets I have have been a lot easier since they stay put.

SlugSnorter · Oct 28, 2021

ID-Reefer said:
Question. I have about 15 rock flower nems in my 240 gal mixed reef tank. Ive had most for about 7-8 months. All have seemed to be doing great. Only one or two have moved and I think one or two have disappeared. Tonight I noticed that several looked to be extending, like up off the sand bed or rock work. Then I noticed several spewing a milky substance - not the mucous waste I sometimes see. They all look good, good color and not shrunk at all. Is this some sort of spawning effort? I thought they just split like BTAs. Are they stressed or? These are my first rock flowers so I don’t have a lot of experience.

they are spawning, you'll get baby names or filter feeder food!

ahiggins · Oct 31, 2021

I love first time spawn parents congrats!

sfin52 · Oct 31, 2021

Start counting the days @Ron Reefman would like this info.

ID-Reefer · Oct 31, 2021

ahiggins said:
I love first time spawn parents congrats!

Not sure if it’s the first time or if the first time I’ve noticed. I have not seen any new RFAs in the 7-8 months they’ve been in the tank however.

so maybe the first spawn? Or maybe the spawn never makes it (quite a bit of flow in the tank)? Or maybe predators? Would a copper band eat a baby RFA?

guess will wait and see if any new RFAs show up

ahiggins · Nov 1, 2021

ID-Reefer said:
Not sure if it’s the first time or if the first time I’ve noticed. I have not seen any new RFAs in the 7-8 months they’ve been in the tank however.

so maybe the first spawn? Or maybe the spawn never makes it (quite a bit of flow in the tank)? Or maybe predators? Would a copper band eat a baby RFA?

guess will wait and see if any new RFAs show up

Usually more flow is the limiting factor in my experience.
I don’t know specific predators but I know the blue and red leg hermits, blenny, chromis, 6 line, and dottybacks don’t bother them lol

Ron Reefman · Nov 4, 2021

The best info I can give is: it looks like the gestation time frame between the spawn and the delivery of babies is between 25 and 35 days. Please understand that is not 'science', that is my best guess based on my experience and those of several others.

Good luck!

Nicroper · Nov 11, 2021

One thing I did notice when mine spawned, was that the "mom" shrank up a considerable amount. That is what made me notice the little ones. They were all around her. Good luck!