Picasso Clownfish Breeding Project

[ClownfishSushi]

Could have sworn I had a thread on my Picasso Breeding here on RC? Oh well...

Long time no update. A couple of months ago the Picasso Broodstock took another break from spawning just as I was preparing to collect the 4th spawn. While they've been on hiatus I managed to normalize the temperature swings that I believe were detrimental to the incubation period. I have a new challenge as well... Aiptasia. But good news is after a slight adjustment to the photo period and feeding schedule I was able to induce a spawn. This picture is from the December 03, 2012 spawn. Depending on how the eggs develop I might attempt a collection next week.

[coraltastic]

Sweet!

[billsreef]

Originally Posted by ClownfishSushi

Could have sworn I had a thread on my Picasso Breeding here on RC? Oh well...

Just do search on your posts. You've got at least two others

[RandysReef]

Glad to hear they started spawning again Eggs look healthy and have nice color. I have a feeling there will be a special picasso from this clutch

[Saltwaternooby]

I am waiting to catch my Picasso's spawn on Saturday. Must be there season, only my pairs second time laying.

[ClownfishSushi]

Eggs at 48 hours post-spawn. The male has been tending the nest non-stop. Looking good so far...

[oceancube1]

looking good, my picasso offspring are at day 14 and i see some nice ones already.. good luck with the hatch hope you collect a good amount!!!

[Stu Pickles]

Check out the big grin on daddies face in pic 2!!!

[mwilliams62]

Those are some bright colored eggs... Very nice looking...

[ClownfishSushi]

Eggs at 72 hours post-spawn. The eggs are significantly darker than yesterday and I believe we're seeing the first signs of eyes developing.

[mwilliams62]

Nice. What kind of camera are you using? I never could get closeups like that without it getting extremely blurry.

[ClownfishSushi]

Picasso eggs at 4 days post-spawn. If you look closely you can see the developing fry!

[ClownfishSushi]

Originally Posted by mwilliams62

Nice. What kind of camera are you using? I never could get closeups like that without it getting extremely blurry.

A Nikon D3100 that I got for my birthday last year. No special lenses, just the standard one that came with the camera. It happens that the nest is only a few inches away from the glass so I can get good closeups.

[rgreene]

thats awesome

[mwilliams62]

Great thanks I will check that camera out.

[mwilliams62]

What will you be using to strain the rotifers with? Coffee filter or the rotifer sieve?

[ClownfishSushi]

Originally Posted by mwilliams62

What will you be using to strain the rotifers with? Coffee filter or the rotifer sieve?

Coffee filter. Cheap white ones from the dollar store.

[ClownfishSushi]

Picasso eggs at 5 days post-spawn.

[ptr13]

congrats on your new clowns, my best on keeping the new frys.

[mwilliams62]

I have been using the coffee filters too but after a little while the water want drain very well like it just sits there. Almost like its clogged up or something... And of course not quite ready with the rotifer culture but my female just laid her second batch today I was really hoping she would wait till Tuesday to do that. Hope the culture will be dense by the time they hatch 8 days from now...

[ClownfishSushi]

There is a secret to strain with a coffee filter. Rotation. You'll see a big difference.

[mwilliams62]

I think I might already be doing that if when you say rotation " turning it around and around".. or do you mean replace it with a new one when it starts to do that? Also hopeful last question here do you use the Rotifer floss that comes in thr starer kit from Reed Nutrition?

[ClownfishSushi]

I never bought the starter kit and I've never used rotifer floss. And I'm refering to centrifugal force through a rotational movement of the culture fluid in the filter.

[ClownfishSushi]

Picasso eggs at 6 days post-spawn.

[Tmoriarty]

By rotating the fluid you keep the larger particles and the rotifers in suspension, this prevents the filter from getting clogged as fast.

I would still advise buying a 53 micron sieve, they are pretty cheap on ebay, and are very efficient. No dealing with coffee filters. If you want an even better way, use a 200 micron filter first to remove the large particles that may be in the water and only keep rotifers.