A. Ocellaris Hatch

[jacob30]

Well last night I collected 100-150 Black ocellaris larvae from my main display. This is the second time I have collected larvae. The first time I was unprepared with food so they did not make it. I have rotifers on hand this time but the density is low. I have about 25 gallons of rotifers culturing now. Two five gallon containers with a density of about 20-25/mil and an outside 15gallon batch with about 10/ml. My larval rearing tank is a ten gallon with about 7 gallons in it. (these estimates could be way off either way but is a best guess)

A couple of questions for the board:

1. Should I reduce the volume in the rearing tank?

2. Any suggestions about quickly increasing rotifer density with what I have(besides fedexing rots in)?

I have started two more five gallon batches today with an inoculation from my higher density cultures.

Thanks in advance!

Jacob

[Kathy55g]

1. I would not reduce the volume of the rearing tank. You have enough rots.

Do you have a rotifer sieve? You need one that will be about 53 microns. A paper coffee filter will work in a pinch. If you filter 3 gallons out of your 25 gallons, you will have enough to start your larvae off well. for today. Filter them onto the paper , swish the paper in a small volume of phyto in a small (around 1/2 gallon or so) bucket and rinse off the paper with ripe phyto so there is a high rot concetration in the small bucket with phyto. Let that sit for an hour or so to enrich your rots and then filter again over your rot culture bucket letting the partially used phyto go towards feeding future rots. Now rinse the rots off the paper and into your larval tank with some fresh ripe phyto. Make sure you add enough phyto to the larval tank to tint the water green.

What are you feeding your rots? 25 gallons is a lot of volume, and if there is too much ammonia, it can delay the reproduction of your rots. When was the last time you cleaned the tank?

In general, I have found that the rots have multiplied like crazy when I fed them ripe phyto enough to turn the culture significantly green. I also use some AmQuel or ChorAmX or other ammonia removal product at the recommended dosage.

When the green starts to fade to yellow, I add more phyto.

You've already got a good cuture. For a seven gallon fry tank, you don't need 25 gallons IMO. I would filter the old buckets (don't include the crud at the bottom), put the rots in the 2 new buckets with the cultures you just started, and feed em well. Now you've got all your rots in a couple of clean buckets, and you don't need so much phyto to feed them. Just make sure you siphon the crud out of the bottom every few days and keep em green. You don't need more than 4 gallons per bucket.

Good luck, it's easier than you can guess.

Kathy

[jacob30]

Kathy what lighting set up did you use for the larva on the first day? I had some head standers and quite a few have perished already. I shut off the light overhead and am relying on the ambient room light for now. It was a 13 watt PC from home depot about 2 feet off the tank.

To answer your questions:

I am feeding the rotifers Reed's Rotifer blend and I also have some Roti Rich.

The tanks for the rotifers were cleaned on Sunday and I have cleaned one this morning.

Thanks for the advice.

Jacob

[Kathy55g]

Greenwater in the larval tank will help to cut down on the light problem. Also, cover the sides of your tank with something black like construction paper or a black garbage bag.

Paper toweling draped over the tank makes a good shade.

I think you are alright with ambient light, but check the fish. You know about the head standing.

I just have a household compact fluorescent in the ceiling. I did not have a problem with light. I have only done this once though.
Other folks have more experience.

[npaden]

I usually start out with only 3 gallons of water in my 10 gallon hatch out tanks to keep the density of the rotifers as high as possible.

As they get older and can recognize and hunt down their food I start adding a little water each day until the tank is full.

FWIW, Nathan

[jacob30]

Well there are only a few left tonight :(
Looks like something was not quite right (like the light). I will try your suggestions for the few remaining and for next time (the parents are already showing signs). The few remaining look like they are eating so we will see.
Thanks for your replies.

Jacob

On a good note I have some cardinals almost ready to be released from the dad. I have reared them before so hopefully I will have better luck with them.

[Kathy55g]

Good luck, and keep trying!

[jacob30]

Well my clowns have laid a nest of eggs again. I will attempt raising this hatch again. I have figured out what hapened to the last batch and it was really stupid on my part (live and learn). With that knowlwdge I hope this next batch will thrive. There are more eggs than before so hopefully they come thru.

[Atticus]

Originally posted by jacob30
Well my clowns have laid a nest of eggs again. I will attempt raising this hatch again. I have figured out what hapened to the last batch and it was really stupid on my part (live and learn). With that knowlwdge I hope this next batch will thrive. There are more eggs than before so hopefully they come thru.

Are you going to share what you found out so others don't do the same? :D

[jacob30]

I bleached them :(. I had several 5 gallon buckets and in between using them I was using bleach to sterilize the buckets. I was filtering rotifers to feed the fry and eneded up using about 2 cups of water (which I thought was fresh saltwater) out of one of the bleach water containers to place the rotifers in. I then dumped them in along with the 2 cups of bleach water. I did this twice.

Yes very stupid on my part. I also blasted them with light the first day for about 3 hours before seeing the head standing.

[Atticus]

Ouch... I can say I have screwed up and added saltwater instead of top off before. Really screws with the salinity and I found fish take droping SG much better than quickly rising SG.

[jacob30]

Another hatch tonight. Hopefully I won't kill this batch. Food is ready and the tank is better setup as well. Oh yeah, and I wont bleach them. Wish me luck!

Jacob

[Dman]

AS strange as this sounds, I did the same thing (capture B&W O fry from a buddies tank) and transported them home in a 3\4 full 5 gallon bucket. I'm at day 8 with only a handful of losses(+/- 10). The bucket is working like a charm, there's no corners for them to congregate in, the lighting can be controlled very easily, a single airstone in the middle keeps everything moving and siphoning the detrius off the bottom of a white pail is a cinch.
Dman

[FFFrog]

I like to have about 8-9 gallons in a tank.
Adding greenwater and running the lights for the first 48 hours really helps also.

[jacob30]

Well so far so good. No losses that I can see. I fed them this morning with rotifers. I also put in some greenwater. One thing that I am not completely clear on still is lighting. I read some places where no light is used for the first few days and then some people say they use light right away. Right now I am just letting ambient room light in and I also have a thin bartowel over the top of the eggcrate. Some light is getting in and they appear to be hunting so I am going to go with this for now. Tomorrow I will remove the bar towel and just have the egg crate. I will start their own light on day three.

Anyone have any other advice on this?

Thanks

Jacob

PS I did have a heater issue so far. I was nervous but they appear to be ok. The temp this morning said 87 (yikes). I have adjusted it down quite significantly and the temp is back down to 81.7. I hate aquarium heaters. (I even opchecked this one prior to last night).

[Kathy55g]

Originally posted by Dman
AS strange as this sounds, I did the same thing (capture B&W O fry from a buddies tank) and transported them home in a 3\4 full 5 gallon bucket. I'm at day 8 with only a handful of losses(+/- 10). The bucket is working like a charm, there's no corners for them to congregate in, the lighting can be controlled very easily, a single airstone in the middle keeps everything moving and siphoning the detrius off the bottom of a white pail is a cinch.
Dman

There is a school of thought that round is better, it seems. Edgar uses big round tubs, I've read instructions somewhere that suggest a round container is best, and Guy uses a clean black plastic oilpan like you would use to change the oil in your car! It does make sense that there would be no stagnant corners for bad bacteria to grow, or places for the fry to dig into and get confused and die.

Are you finding that the white sides of the bucket are confusing to the fry? They should not let in side light, but perhaps they reflect light....

[Dman]

kmleah
Actually they look more like they're just swimming around. We're at day ten and 95% of what survived have meta'd and they're pretty spread out. I've noticed with other species reared in rectangular tanks that they tend to congregate in the corners and then get aggressive.
Another plus with using pails is that they're super easy to clean when you're done they also stack and stow really nice.
One caveat for sure is the hatch size you could concieveably start in them. I don't think I would use them for larger nests.
Dman

[Kathy55g]

What Guy does with the oilpan is hatch the eggs, and keep them there until metamorphosis, then he slides them into a 22 gallon rubbermaid plumbed to his system (very large) to grow up some more. I think Edgar just keeps them in the 50 gallon tub turning on the flow when they are ready.

Round may be the way to go...just as I am getting my square tanks set up...food for thought...

[Kathy55g]

Congratulations on such success! You must have hundreds of fish!

[jacob30]

So far so good on day three! I am removing completely the bar towel from the top of the eggcrate. They look like they are eating and swimming around. A few tend to go to the side and sit there. I am not sure if this is temporary or if they do this continuously. Overall minimal losses so far but its still early.

[ebzhighestbidder]

Keep me updated please, I just noticed that my pair of Ocellaris laid eggs. WOOOHOOOOO!!! im so happy. I will try to siphon out the babies when they hatch, but i dont know when that will be. The eggs are clear and you can actually see them inside.

[Dman]

Photo finally.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=135875&papass=&sort=1&thecat=

[jacob30]

Very cool photo! In a bucket, I may have to try that next time around.

Jacob

Day five for me and they are doing well. Only a couple of losses in the last few days.

[True Percula]

wow nice clowns any pics of parents?

[Dman]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=135902
Parents
Dman

[ebzhighestbidder]

nice nice

[True Percula]

cool

[jacob30]

The parents have laid again! I will try the bucket for this batch.

[jacob30]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01013.jpg

Day 5 Larvae picture

154 Total!!

[True Percula]

cool

[Kathy55g]

That is spectacular! Only 3 days left to go before metamorphosis! I can hardly wait!

[NicoleC]

Originally posted by jacob30
154 Total!!

You actually counted? And I thought *I* was OCD...

:D

Round may be the way to go...just as I am getting my square tanks set up...food for thought...

You could round off the corners with 1/8" acrylic and silicone the edges. Most Ace Hardware Stores carry 1/8" acrylic and will cut it to size for you.

[Dman]

NicoleC,
You're not the only one OCD. :D
I count sometimes as well.
Dman

[jacob30]

Starting to see a white stripe near the head of many of the larvae. Their bodies look thicker as well. I would say they are undergoing metamorphisis but it seems a bit early.

Day 8 tomorrow!!

[jacob30]

Day 8 and I believe almost all of them have undergone metamorphesis or are going through it. Most have at least one stripe and many are forming two. I only notice 2 out of the group that look like larvae still. Here is a really bad pic but I think it shows there shape and starting to form stripes and color.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01066.jpg

Two deaths today :(

[NicoleC]

Only 2 deaths during metamorphosis sounds really good.

I love that pic -- it makes them look like they are whizzing around everywhere in there!

[jacob30]

Yes they whiz around like they have had an expresso or something!!

[Kathy55g]

That is amazing! What are you feeding them? They all look very advanced for day 8, compared to the ones that I raised.
Fabulous!

[jacob30]

Lots of rotifers! I just started introducing them to BBS yesterday. They do seem like they matured faster than what I have read. A higher temp might have helped as well. Yesterday I took off the front panel cover and was able to really see all them for the first time.

[shred5]

Wow nice... Thanks for sharing the pics...

Dave

[ebzhighestbidder]

awesome thanks for the info, keep it coming

[Kathy55g]

What temperature are you using, and with what are you feeding your rotifers?

[jacob30]

I am feeding the rotifers Phyto Feast Rotifer Diet algae concentrate and a little Rotirich. I just bought a bottle of Tahitiian Blend algae paste from Brineshrimp direct and some decapsulated BBS also.

As far as the temp goes I have wanted to maintain it at 80 but this heater seems to hold every temperature but 80. I would say it has averaged 83 deg F.

[Baalz]

I would suggest next time try weaning them to bbs on day 5.

[ebzhighestbidder]

Ok sorry if i hijack this thread for a sec, but RIGHT NOW my clows are laying eggs. I did not get a chance to put down the tile so i will siphon them out when they hatch. When should i start hatching the bbs..... could you please give me a quick walkthrough on what you guys do? I lent out my book on clownfish so im gonna go get it tonight, Help please. I will post a pic asap.

[ebzhighestbidder]

Heres some shots,

When they first started
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4130/41560Clownslay2.JPG

Now
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4130/41560Clownslay1.JPG

[NicoleC]

You need rotifers as a first food, and lots of them for about the first week. Then you can switch to BBS. If you don't have a couple of healthy rotifer cultures going already, you probably don't have time to get ready for this nest. But you may snag the next one in a couple of weeks!

[jacob30]

Definitely need some rotifers at first. I am still feeding them rotifers mainly but have started weaning them onto BBS. I had some problems getting my own decapsulated BBS to have a good hatch so I ordered some decapsulated hatching BBS from brineshrimp direct. I should know tonight if it was worth the shipping.

You can order some rotifers from reed mariculutre if you do not have any on hand:
http://www.reed-mariculture.com/zooplankton/rotifer/

Joyce's book has almost everything you will need to know about raising them. Definitely a good reference!!

The only variance I made was with the lights and the tank setup. I did not use a direct light until day 3 and the setup in her book shows covers only on three sides. Block out all four sides of a ten gallon with the top covered with eggcrate and I used a bar towel the first 2 days over the egg crate.

If you have any other specific questions please ask. I am definitely not an expert but have a few lessons learned to pass.

Good luck,
Jacob

[Kathy55g]

You will need some instant algae or rotifer diet from reed mariculture as well as the rotifers. You must feed the rots well just before you filter them and feed them to the larvae.

[ebzhighestbidder]

ok the rots i found this
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/swinverts.html
would this be cheaper for rots?
and i have dts here at home, can i make a culture out of that and feed the rots??

[Kathy55g]

The rots are OK.

Culturing DT's is not a good idea. It hardly ever works because it is a mix of algaes that do not grow well together. It is, however, excellent rotifer food. you just have to buy a lot of it.

See if you can find someone in florida that cultures phyto and ask them to mail you some. Florida aqua farms should not be too far away. Or you can buy a year's supply of instant algae from Reed.

[jacob30]

This is the stuff I used and it worked well:

http://www.reed-mariculture.com/microalgae/rotiferdiet.asp

[Reefbone]

Originally posted by jacob30
This is the stuff I used and it worked well:

http://www.reed-mariculture.com/microalgae/rotiferdiet.asp

Interesting link... thanks ! :)

[shred5]

Originally posted by jacob30
This is the stuff I used and it worked well:

http://www.reed-mariculture.com/microalgae/rotiferdiet.asp

Is the rotifer diet a algae paste like the rest of their stuff?


Dave

[jacob30]

Yes, I believe. I would call it more of a concentrate though.

[Fishboy42]

Jacob, cool pics, it looks like you have some healthy clowns there! Yes, you could start them on bbs earlier, but they look pretty good to me. Good luck and keep us updated.

ebzhighestbidder: The Reed algae concentrate is the way to go. You can freeze small amounts of the concentrate and defrost a small bottle every few weeks in the fridge, makes a bottle last a long time. I've ordered from Paul Sachs (aquaculturestore) before, I'd recommend him for rots (and cheap too!). You can start cultures from DT's, but it's a bit tricky now that it contains several strains (one usually takes over the culture), and using the paste is easier/more economical.

[NicoleC]

I've been using the Rotifer Diet this time, and the rotifers DO seem to be darker and better fed. It's a mix, vs. some of the other IA which is pure. With the RD, you can freeze it, but it turns into a big icecube. So I leave it in the fridge (recommended) and use and old small IA bottle to mix it with saltwater.

Just wish I could pick it up locally; the shipping cost is a bear!

[jacob30]

Updated Photo Day 12!

<img src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01068.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[shred5]

NicoleC

Thanks for the info.

I guess I could still freeze it into icecubes then..
I have a place locally but they dont cary that type, I would suppose they could order me some...



jacob30

Looking good .....

[Kathy55g]

Those pics are great! I am so jealous...

[jacob30]

Another Hatch tonight!! I am trying them in a 2.5 gallon. I am not sure how many yet but I guess 100-150 again.

[jacob30]

New Pictures:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01076.jpg

[True Percula]

send me over some!!!

[jacob30]

A close up of the little guys! Thanks to my wife in more ways than one!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01087.jpg

[True Percula]

Can I have some?

[m.rogers]

jacob very cool. in about 6 months i am moving down to the eastern shore of VA and i am starting to look for lfs that are close but the ones are all in Virginia beach what can you tell me about some of them. Are there any clubs that you know of on my side of the bay bridge tunnel.

thanks mike

[jacob30]

The best LFS in the eastern United States is on the Eastern Shore( although just over the border in Maryland): Dr. Mac's Pacific East Aquaculture. I actually bought the male Black ocellaris from him. It still may be a little drive depending where on the Eastern shore you will be living, but well worth the drive. Here in Virginia Beach are Fish Safari and Reef Chief. They are the only reputable LFS IMO. I am not sure of any clubs on your side of the CBBT but we have a club here the Hampton Roads Reef Club.

Jacob

[jacob30]

Clowns at night:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01101.jpg

[ebzhighestbidder]

thats awesome

[jake2045]

OK lets see an update of the little Clowns and Cardinals.

[jacob30]

I will post some pics tonight. They are all doing well thus far. My last hatch was not as successful but I had another hatch on Sunday. So far so good for them.

Jacob

[jacob30]

New Pics!!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01134.jpg

[Kathy55g]

Cool!

[jake2045]

Great job!!!!!

[jacob30]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01139.jpg

[Kathy55g]

Incredible!

[True Percula]

wow very nice what tank did they spawn in?

[jacob30]

My 110 gallaon reef. They have spawned again last week. I am setting up the garage this weekend for all the breeding tanks.

[jake2045]

I would love to help but I have to work. I maybe able to help in the evenings.

[spk]

Fantastic,
These are really great pics and a success.
Keep us updated on what you are doing in the garage.

Thanks

Steve

[MaryBebo]

Great Thread! This is really amazing .

Congrats!

[Kathy55g]

Congratulations not only on your incredible success, and your fantastic pictures, but your nomination to Thread of the Month!

[jacob30]

Yes that it very cool and an honor! Congratulations to you as well!

I have another hatch on Monday to collect. It is getting out of control in our house so the garage will be nice to set up.

Jacob

[chungsl]

Congratulation, very nice pics ,I hadn't ever seen so many pics about black oc. thx.
I also have a couple , 2nd laid eggs yesterday , the 1st hatch is day 12 baby--40+ left(the look exactly likes your pic).
I hope the 2nd hatch may more baby survive.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/14073day0egg1-embed.jpg

[SEA YOU LATER]

This is the best thread I've ever read. I found it tonight and read every page. Congrats on the babies, and I look forward to reading more as ya'll post. Thank you, Mike

[jacob30]

chungsl very cool pics of the blac oc couple. Are they in a Sebae anemone (H. crispa)? That is what my two host. I will try to get some pics of the parents tonight.

Sea You Later thanks for the remarks!

Jacob

[jacob30]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01147.jpg

[SEA YOU LATER]

Nice pics jacob30 & chungsl Thanks

[chungsl]

jacob30, yes, it is a Sebae anemone (H. crispa).
yours really is a proud pair, i wonder my male blac. oc. hasn't
enough making power.:p he just 1"+ and about 9 months old.
:rolleyes:

[jake2045]

Finally My clowns have laid eggs!It's a small clutch put they did it.

[SEA YOU LATER]

Congrats Jake, What kind of clowns and are you going to try and raise them? Mike

[jake2045]

Their false percs. that a fellow reefer gave me when he moved.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311Clowns.jpg
I had talked with Jacob30 at the last club meeting about things to change (light cycle, temp, and food) but I didn't make any changes. I guess they where not ready, until now. I hope they continue to spawn.I don't believe I will try to raise this clutch as the egg mass in very small maybe about 20-30 eggs. My clowns have been acting as if they where going to spawn ( cleaning the rock under their seabae) but never got to it.

[jacob30]

Come over and get some Rotifers to start a culture when your ready. Congrats!!

I just collected another hatch tonight!!


Good luck!

Jacob

The breeding setup is about 80% done. I will post some pics once I get the sump online.

[George_Marine]

Hi everyone, one question how much time would it take for my clownfishes to breed?

I bought a pair 8 months ago, one is twice as larger than the other. They are A. percula.

Is there a way to know?:confused:

[NicoleC]

Well, maybe never. Maybe tomorrow. First, they need to be mature enough. Yours may not be yet -- if they were tank raised, tey could be less than a year old. If they were wild caught, they could be that young or as old as 30 years.

They need good food and lots of it, and very stable water conditions. A nice warm steady temp (80-82F) and long light cycle helps.

Some fish are more sensitive to light changes and disturbances than others. My pair will (and have!) spawned while I was cleaning the tank. Some pairs can't even have the light timer get slightly off or it will throw them off schedule.

So that's where to start looking at your husbandry -- consistancy and nice fat fish. If you have already satisfied all these conditions, you can possibly jump start a pair by extending the lighting period and simulating a plankton bloom, but you may just need a bit more patience.

[SEA YOU LATER]

Originally posted by jake2045
Their false percs. that a fellow reefer gave me when he moved.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311Clowns.jpg
I had talked with Jacob30 at the last club meeting about things to change (light cycle, temp, and food) but I didn't make any changes. I guess they where not ready, until now. I hope they continue to spawn.I don't believe I will try to raise this clutch as the egg mass in very small maybe about 20-30 eggs. My clowns have been acting as if they where going to spawn ( cleaning the rock under their seabae) but never got to it.


They look like true perc with the wide border of black?? But it's hard for me to tell. I'm new at this again.

[spk]

Congrats to the both of you.

This is so cool. The more that we hatch the more that there is a chance of conservation in the wild.

Steve

[Kinetic]

omg your pictures are so cool! that's adorable.

[jake2045]

I'm not sure what they are.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311IMG_0009.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311New_clowns_2.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311New_clowns.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/59311IMG_0001.JPG

[Kathy55g]

I would vote ocellaris. :)

[SEA YOU LATER]

I would say true because of the wide black on them.

[spk]

They are fantastic.

Steve

[jake2045]

Thanks!

[chungsl]

Hey all, how about the orange one, true or false?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/14073pair-bwo.jpg
below 5 months baby is their offsping.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/14073beloved1.jpg

[SEA YOU LATER]

i think true, although the black outside the white in the bottom pic is very thin. Am I right or wrong?

[Kathy55g]

I would say true percula on the orange parent fish. The next picture is offspring of the parent fish, so who knows what the final look will be? Part of the charm of this pairing!

Another breeder who paired a black with an ocellaris gets 50% percent black and 50% orange.

[SEA YOU LATER]

LOL I just noticed the black clown. lol I need to go to bed lol

[jacob30]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01180.jpg

[SEA YOU LATER]

Nice pic Jacob!!! How many are there.

[jake2045]

That a very cool picture!I yhick my pair still need some more time as the male has eaten the eggs.

[spk]

This is so cool. Another goodly number brought through.
Well done.

[ebzhighestbidder]

Well all my hopes of having a succesfull batch went down the drain. My male died last tuesday. Cant figure out why, all params are perfect and the other fish and the female seems to be ok, sad but ok. :(

[spk]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my female of the pair that I had the other day to, but she decided that she liked the tank no more and jumped out.

I have since managed to get another and hopefully they will pair. At the moment there is no bickering so I am holding thumbs.

Good luck

Steve

[jacob30]

Here is a quick pic of my breeding setup. Still three more ten gallons to add and UV, autotopoff etc:

Any Suggestions please:





http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01185.jpg

will be 80 gallons total eventually.

It is 50 now.

[m.rogers]

jacob30 nice looking setup can you tell me a little more about it and some more

thanks
mike

[jacob30]

Well it's pretty simple so far just three ten gallons plumbed into a 20 high sump with three chambers (skimmer remora pro mag 3/filter sock/heater 250 watt ebo jager, bioballs and return pump chamber mag 7). I have drilled two of the ten gallons and have a cpr oveflow on the third (I will drill it soon). I will be adding three more ten gallon tanks below the current three and adding a 25 watt lifeguard UV and a autotopoff system soon. The tank on the far left has about 20 cardinals in it and the tank in the middle has about 100 juvenile black ocellaris and the far left tank has nothing in it yet (cardinals in a few days though). I also have about 150 blacks in my bedroom that I am keeping close tabs on and watching them grow. They will probrably be going in the breeding setup soon.

Jacob

[m.rogers]

jacob30 thanks do you know anyone else close that are breeding the black ocellaris it would be great when i get down on the eastern shore of MD or VA to get a pair for breeding my self.

mike

[jacob30]

I know of no one else in this area breeding blacks. I am planning on breeding black onyx in the near future as well. Come by and get a pair of blacks sometime.

jacob

[m.rogers]

jacob

i will have to take you up on that when i get down that way in about 6 months and hit up some of your lfs in Virgiai beach.

mike

[jacob30]

Pics of latest batch doing well!!:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c152/jacob30/DSC01188.jpg

Sadly the last hatch was fried by a heater (Visi-Therm Deluxe Heater 50 Watt). I have since switched brands to ebo jager. Hopefully they are better.

[SEA YOU LATER]

So cool!!!! Do you mind if I save all your pics Elmo?

[chungsl]

I love brown baby and enjoy to look their body color change daily.
I wonder my larvae fired by a heater,how your larvae was fired by heater?
how many larvae pass the metamorphosis each batch?

[jacob30]

My first successful batch had a post-metamorphesis survival rate of about 95%!! My second post meta survival rate was about 70%. And I have lost about 3 hatches completely.

[The Shrimp X]

any updates??? Good job, they look amazing ^_^

[jacob30]

Yes all is well still. I have had a recent hatch about 2-3 weeks ago and have about 250 or so of juveniles in the breeding setup. I will post some pics later today. About another month or two and quite a few will be ready to sell.

Jacob