Why are my clownfish eating their eggs?

[Dom]

So, I have a pair of Tomato Clownfish that have been spawning for approximately a year.

I read that this is common at first, but after two or three clutches, they will come to understand what the clutches are and will stop.

They are good for 1-2 clutches per month.

But I count 19 clutches since they have started spawning, and they still eat them.

Up until now, I didn't worry about it as I wasn't ready to raise fry. But now, I'd like to give it a try.

Can anyone help me to understand why they are continually eating their eggs?

Thank you,
Dom

 

[thedon986]

Have you ever tasted caviar????

 

[dedragon]

I would just increase their feedings more and maybe supplement with selcon and maybe fertility frenzy (not needed but good for breeding clowns)

 

[bushdoc]

It is a behavioral issue. They eat unfertilized eggs, infected eggs and when they under stress.

 

[Dom]

I would just increase their feedings more and maybe supplement with selcon and maybe fertility frenzy (not needed but good for breeding clowns)

Yes; I have been feeding heavy, but still, they are eating their eggs.

 

[Dom]

Have you ever tasted caviar????

Thats helpful...

 

[Dom]

It is a behavioral issue. They eat unfertilized eggs, infected eggs and when they under stress.

Interesting. I've read that they won't even spawn if they are under stress.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So, I have a pair of Tomato Clownfish that have been spawning for approximately a year.

I read that this is common at first, but after two or three clutches, they will come to understand what the clutches are and will stop.

They are good for 1-2 clutches per month.

But I count 19 clutches since they have started spawning, and they still eat them.

Up until now, I didn't worry about it as I wasn't ready to raise fry. But now, I'd like to give it a try.

Can anyone help me to understand why they are continually eating their eggs?

Thank you,
Dom

As new and inexperienced parents they do. They also do when there are tankmates that pose a threat to eating the eggs and they eat them themselves. Now that you have a fertile pair, lay a clay flowerpot near the area and get them to lay eggs in the pot which you can transfer the eggs and parents to a ready tank to finish the rearing of eggs and fry

 

[bushdoc]

Interesting. I've read that they won't even spawn if they are under stress.

I gain weight when I am under stress, but my wife gets skinny. Figure it out.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is a behavioral issue. They eat unfertilized eggs, infected eggs and when they under stress.

I have 4 breeder pair in with 30 other fish and never heard or seen this and they lay eggs every 3-4 weeks. If 30 fish dont stress them- nothing will.
They simply cant hold the occupants off for long. I let the eggs go as I have no time to set up breeder tanks, etc

 

[Cthulukelele]

Also in the wild it's not uncommon for clowns to cannibalize their own eggs and fry. I think at the end of the day dinner is dinner in the ocean. Not a lot of parenting in the aquatic kingdom

 

[Dom]

I let the eggs go as I have no time to set up breeder tanks, etc

That is what I have been doing. But I'm thinking I want to give it a try.