Dendro spawning?

[mikekman]

Hey guys, I got some new dendro from Reefscience lately. Been in the tank for a few days. Been feeding it nearly everyday, small meaty foods.

Well this morning before the lights were on, I have some sunlight that hits the tank a bit. Well all of a sudden, I see 3 of the large dendro heads open their mouths and out comes a TON of small round white things. The firefish is eating it up like crazy......I'm guessing the dendros spawned? Anyone else heard of this? I thought dendros just budded out babies. Wonder what was up? Looks like tiny eggs to me.

Anyone have ideas?
Mike

[deanos]

I've heard of dendros spawning before. Here's a thread (http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/coral-farming/16325-dendro-spawning.html) from ManhattanReefs.com

[mikekman]

deanos, thanks for the link! Looks like another reefer had that happen. I wish I caught it on camera or something, it was really interesting. Once one of the heads started doing it, the others opened up and started releasing eggs. Hopefully I find some babies!!!!!

[smariner]

Sweet!

cb

[mikekman]

chad (smariner) -I'm happy and it was cool to see! I thought they budded which they do but never thought they would release eggs as well!

Hopefully I will see some unexpected babies in a few weeks.......that would be awesome!

[Echidna09]

That's pretty cool Mike, hopefully the firefish didn't get them all.

[mikekman]

echidna, the firefish ate a lot, but I think some may have gotten sucked into the fuge. If they did, they have a better chance of survival there.

I really hope to see some babies in a few weeks.....that would be sick!!

[Qckwzrd]

Best of luck Mike, wish my Dendros spawn or even my suncorals. I don't have a skimmer or real filter on my tank. Just powerheads and a fuge. Keep ya eyes open Mike.

[thecichlidpleco]

Might just be some pods or small shrimp, especially if it was nigthtime. I have seen them bud but never spawn. Keep us up to date.

[mikekman]

thecichlidpleco -definitely not pod or food. The stuff coming out of their mouths were small, round, and white. All three heads started releasing it at almost the same time. Definitely some kind of egg thing. I hope to see some dendros perhaps in my tank........I will keep an eye out in my fuge and main tank.

qckwzrd -I will keep my eyes open. Hoping to save some of the other dendros that were affected by high nitrates! So far some seem to be doing ok.

[thecichlidpleco]

about high nitrates, mine jumped to above 20 and the dendros are fine.

[kiknchikn]

I would think the chances of them surviving or even being fertilized in the first place are pretty low, but how cool would that be if some made it.

[mikekman]

kiknchikn - I know the chances are next to nil but wouldn't that be great if I found at least 1-2 baby ones growing? If I find any, I will be sure to borrow a camera or buy one and start taking detailed pics!!!

thecichlidpleco -dendro982 in one thread mentioned that through trial and error that nitrates above a certain number are detrimental and will kill nitrates. I think 40+. I know for certain my nitrates were EXTREMELY high, way above 20. I was lazy on water changes and some dendros I had suffered:( :( :( :(

I have since moved most of them into my 24 gal aquapod that has a fuge and skimmer.

Kill keep everyone up to date and will be searching the tank for any possible babies.!!!

[kiknchikn]

I can't wait to get myself a dendro. I'm hoping to find a nice one for a reasonable price at MACNA. If not a few members in my reefgeek club have them.

[Qckwzrd]

Mike what are you doing with the old tank ?

[mikekman]

qckwzrd, I will probably trade the 14 gallon biocube or may continue to keep a few sun corals in there. Hard to keep dendros in there because of space and also they eat so much that water quality becomes a major issue.