Snowflake Clowns Ate First Clutch

[president89]

I read to expect 12 days between spawns. Is that also when the clutch is eaten or removed. My clowns laid for the first time on Friday 8/29, and ate the clutch about 2 hours after. Trying to figure out when they will lay again.

[Fishshed]

That is normal for them to eat the first couple nests. 12 days is a fair estimate for next clutch. Each pair can vary on the days they lay.

[shifty51008]

feed them more protien, thats one of the main reasons they will eat the eggs.

[mwilliams62]

feed them more protien, thats one of the main reasons they will eat the eggs.

Which food are you using or referring to with more protein in it?

[shifty51008]

I use a mix of NLS pellets, IO marine chips, and I switch between PE mysis, San Francisco Bay Sally's Emerald Entree, and San Francisco Bay Sally's Marine Cuisine.

[mwilliams62]

I use a mix of NLS pellets, IO marine chips, and I switch between PE mysis, San Francisco Bay Sally's Emerald Entree, and San Francisco Bay Sally's Marine Cuisine.

Thanks I will have to add them to my shopping list next time I go buying my fish food.

[shifty51008]

I've had good luck with feeding this way, I will feed the dry foods 4 times a day with a feeder and usually one time a day with frozen. never had any eggs eaten and their clutch sizes have been getting much bigger.

[ajdiver]

I didn't know that the female will lay more eggs depending on what your
feeding. Good info.

[president89]

Is it a bad to feed spawning fish fish roe.. just wondering if it will encourage them to eat their own eggs.

[president89]

They stopped spawning... and eating as much as they normally do. I think when I removed some live rock from the tank, I freaked them out. The female is still very aggressive though, so that's a good sign.

[president89]

I moved them to my 40G breeding setup (8gallon compartment) and they started spawning again today after 2 weeks of being moved. They also didn't eat the eggs yet, so I'm excited!

[president89]

Hehe they ate the eggs. But they spawned again today, and this time I snatched them and I'm going to try and hatch these via airstone.

Video of spawning. Apologize for fuzziness. First time using this camera for video, and I was far away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijQIT6DoQdI&feature=youtu.be

[Sport507]

This is not unusual for them to eat the first clutch or 2. When they spawn feed them high protein food like mysis and they will get the hang of tending that spawn.

[president89]

My fish hate mysis. It's the weirdest thing. I think they really need to grate it down.

[president89]

Lost fry by day 4. System got brook, had to treat with formalin. Waiting for clowns to spawn again. Possibly tomorrow based on current behavior.

[GreshamH]

Is it a bad to feed spawning fish fish roe.. just wondering if it will encourage them to eat their own eggs.

No, its good to. Besides protein as mentioned here, a balanced HUFA profile is crucial.... eggs tend to have that ;)

[president89]

Gresham, do you feed the roe directly? I have some from reeds.

[GreshamH]

<<< Reed Mariculture here

Yes, feed directly. I'd either premix with 4:1 tank water to product unless you dose right at a powerhead.

[todddye]

Are you referring to Reef Nutrition R.O.E.?

I'm feeding mine masago that has been soaked and rinsed, but would like to find something with less additives.

[president89]

Yes reef nutrition. Some fish eat, some just let it hit them in the face.

[stifrk]

I read to expect 12 days between spawns. Is that also when the clutch is eaten or removed. My clowns laid for the first time on Friday 8/29, and ate the clutch about 2 hours after. Trying to figure out when they will lay again.
All of my breeding pairs that started young have consumed most of their first few spawns. I attribute part of this to unfertilized eggs so although it looks like they are eating good eggs they are just doing what is natural which is to get rid of the bad eggs.