Sexing my fish...

[mistermikev]

No I'm not some sicko... just want to know if anyone can tell me or direct me to where I might learn about identifying the sex of my:
std firefish
puple firefish
black percula clown

[Reefland]

Moved to Marine Fish, where Lee may be able to provide some assistance.

[leebca]

Hi!

First, you want to read the post I made recently in this thread:
how can one know

As far as Anemonefishes are concerned, it is most easy to put two together and see what happens. If they pair, the one that is larger is usually the female. Short of surgery or blood analysis this is the best way to tell. Anemonefish have the means to 'change gender' to suit a particular set of circumstances.

If by "std firefish" you are referring to Nematelotris magnifican then I can honestly say I have never heard of any gender differing features. A pair makes it more obvious which one is the male. There are about 36 species of this fish. This goes also for the 'Purple Firefish' you inquired about.

[mistermikev]

Thanks for the informed response. Since we are on the subject... any good ideas for breeding clownfish? I realize breeding firefish would be next to impossible, but have heard that clowns are easier to feed. I have no plans to make money at this... just want to watch life as it develops. I have read that you must put the two parents in seperate tank, throw some pvc tubes in(what are they for?), do water changes instead of running a filter, and find something small to feed the fry. Sounds easy enough... have I missed anything?
Just to satisfy my curiosity... when you cut open a fish are there some sort of fish stitches you close them up with?

[leebca]

There are several books on the subject of breeding Anemonefishes. Most are directed towards farming them for sale. Most breeders I've seen don't use a substrate. PVC is included for the fish to have a place to hide and lay eggs. "Food for the fry" are challenging to provide. Brine shrimp are, for the most part, unsuitable so the effort to provide proper nutrition is not easy and is the one main area which prevents an 'explosion' of tank bred Anemonefishes in this hobby. Some breeders still suffer significant brood loss from this issue in the early development stages of the fish fry.

I've performed fish surgeries. After surgery, just like for humans and other (land) animals, the area is disinfected and sutured.

[daytona]

do false parcula clownfish need a separt tank or can they be put with other fish during breeding

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!
Breeding pairs should be in an environment where they are least stressed. Being in with other fishes would be stressful and could delay or interfere or even prevent the process. If you are serious about breeding Anemonefishes, you'll want one of the publications/books on the subject and separate breeding tanks.