Babies

[downhillbiker]

Just took the male bangai and put him in a breeding net and an hour later he is popping out babies. 2 right now, we will see how many more come out. I dont know if he did this from stress, but the babies have already eaten cyclopeze so hopefully they make it. He has already had about 10 clutches that I let go in the tank, but this time I decided to catch them. Built a nice fake urchin for the babies to hang out in, they seem to like it ok.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/bangaiibabies001.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/bangaiibabies004.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/bangaiibabies003.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/bangaiibabies002.jpg

[ScubaDiver93]

Wow thats great I really hope they make it. I like the urchin idea.

[downhillbiker]

i hope they make it too. it is so cool when something like this happens.

3 babies as of now!!!

[Ehaze]

man, that is freaking amazaing.

[IFbettas]

Wow! That is awesome. I've been looking for some banggais for a long time, but can't find them anywhere. It doesn't help either that they are endangered.

[michellejy]

That is incredible! Good luck to you.

[downhillbiker]

Thanks everyone. I have seen the male with a mouth full of babies about 10 times now. I think they will continue to breed and I will continue to raise babies. The male and female usually only wait about 2 days after babies are released before laying eggs again. I really like to try and decrease the dependency on wild caught, both for corals and fish, it really hurts the reef.

[plateboy3293]

Congratulations on the babies and I hope they make. I just had a quick question for you. Is their any noticeable difference you can see between the male and female banghaii's?

[sabazerehi]

i'd like to know that as well, i already have one bangaii and would like to pair it with another

[plyr58]

The banggai cardinal offspring rearing model is extraordinary. The whole process is so unique to the fishes that normally populate our tanks. One of those moments that, every time you witness it, reminds you how marvelous the animals that we maintain are.

[tmz]

Nice post and pictures. Thanks for sharing it.

[downhillbiker]

to answer the sex id question, no, i dont know of any noticable differences. i just watched the tank of bangai's at the LFS and saw 2 that were hanging out together pretty much non stop. that is the first step to id a pair is they never leave eachother. even now my female is hanging out up by the breeder, where she NEVER has been seen before.

plyr58 you are so right, the way life works in general is amazing, animals, plants, ect. just amazing.

[Jen D]

Congrats on the babies!

[caribngg]

Congrats on the birth of your new children, wish you many more

[downhillbiker]

8 so far, and 2-3 more at least trying to swim out of his mouth. the brats just keep coming.

[downhillbiker]

here's a short little video of these guys. i am so excited, named them all. dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen......

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef%20Videos/th_BangaiBabies2.jpg (http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef%20Videos/?action=view&current=BangaiBabies2.flv)

[Peter Eichler]

Congrats man! Not sure why, but the fake urchin gives me a good chuckle...

[nano mania]

I'm so jealous, I've wanted some bangai for the longest time but I don't want wild caught.
Awesome urchin:D

[jstrong63]

sweet!

[Skinnysloth]

Very cool. Would love to see if you can breed them successfully.

[anememoni]

Awesome babies, awesome urchin! How long have you have them?

[downhillbiker]

So far this morning it has been about 12 hours or so. I started posting when they started coming out, basically you guys experienced the journey. I think there are 16 this morning. Can't count for sure, but seems to be 16. Even taking pics hasn't helped me, there always seems to be a couple on the other side of the net when i snap the pic.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/bangaiibabies001-1.jpg

[Abominable Reef]

Very cool Downhill! I'm glad you decided to try and raise this batch. I'll have to come over and check them out!

[michika]

Very interesting!

So what is the imitation urchin made of? Toothpicks and epoxy?

[Lotus99]

Congrats on the babies! I raised some a while back. I was just blown away at what perfect replicas they are of adult banggais. I absolutely couldn't stop staring at them.

I highly recommend you start feeding live baby brine. Mine grew healthy and well on those. Sure, it's a major pain, but I think it's best for them. I raised mine in a 10g tank with live rock, and they did well.

Here's a pic of mine after a nice BBS meal:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/Lotus99/Fish/DSC_0008-1.jpg

[downhillbiker]

sure, come over and view them whenever you want. just send me a pm.

the urchin is made of tooth picks and epoxy just as you said.

nice pic, good to hear that you did well raising them. what was your success rate?

[erickc23]

That is awesome. Pleae keep us posted on how they are doing. GOOD LUCK

[brich1027]

Congrats on the babies! Awesome video, they look like little stick figures=)

[brich1027]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14073427#post14073427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IFbettas
Wow! That is awesome. I've been looking for some banggais for a long time, but can't find them anywhere. It doesn't help either that they are endangered.

Check on liveaquaria.com I just saw both wild caught and captive bred in stock

[rusty scupper]

thats really really cool saltwater breeding is fascinating

[raen]

I am in LOVE!!! Very sweet babies.

[Lotus99]

nice pic, good to hear that you did well raising them. what was your success rate? [/B]

Well, I only managed to save five from the main tank. The father released them over two nights, and I could only find those five :(

All of them made it to about 1/2", but one got bullied and jumped out. So, I ended up with four. I was glad I didn't lose any (other than the jumper).

[Tajjo]

That's so cool. I love this hobby and all the great things that come with it