[DJ88]

Ok.. noticed something in my g/f's tank just now. Her cleaner shrimp was chowing down on a cluster of 10-15 eggs. Only fish in her tank are a pair of true percs, watchman goby, bicolor blenny and a bangaii cardinal.

What do clown eggs look like and how large are they?

What I saw were 2-3mm across, pinkish in color with a small white spot on or inside it. Do these fit in the size/color range for Perc's?

Never had a fish spwan and am kinda mistified.

exited tho that is for sure..

[golfish]

When my clowns layed eggs they where a little on the red\brown side ( I think, its been awhile) Seems like there were a 100 or more and the pair should be there with the eggs and the male (smaller then the female) will be fanning them......

[Mikeman]

could have been that the shrimp had eaten the rest of them,

the clowns could have also not known what to do with the eggs so they maybe abanded them.

[DJ88]

Hmm.. Well I will keep an eye on these two for the next few weeks.. All I could see was the bunch the shrimp had. THis tank has been up since Jan and the percs in it since feb or march. Can't remember.

Here is something I forgot to add. The single cardinal has been regularly herded into the top corner of the tank. And they don't let it come down. I was taking this as a sign that is was the clowns at it. Am I correct?

Thanks

[golfish]

If they were clown eggs you would know it...... The male would\should be all over em.

[DJ88]

They weren't on the rock. They had been pulled off the rocks. Would a single cardinal lay eggs without a male being there? That is the only other fish large enough to lay those eggs..

Other than those fish there is a CBS, Cleaner shrimp and a pistol shrimp. all solitary.

Now I am very stumped...

Thanks anyways.. will keep a closer eye on the tank now.

[Callie]

I vote for the clown eggs. My pink skunk clowns spawn about every 2 weeks. The eggs are yellowish with a white dot. The eggs of clownfish vary in color depending on type of clown and nutrition. If the eggs were on the substrate, it's possible the eggs were no good and didn't stick to a rock. Clowns lay eggs on a rock or other semi smooth object, generally on a vertical side. They attach the eggs as they lay them, but if it's their 1st spawn or their nutrition is off a little the eggs may have fallen down.
I usually get spawns of around 200 eggs. If your'e interested in trying to raise any fry, get Joyce Wilkerson's book "Clownfishes A guide to their captive care, breeding and natural history" It's a great book.
Clownfish fry are difficult to raise and you will need to get some rotifer and micro algae/phytoplankton cultures going if you plan to raise any.

Even if you don't intend to raise any fry, Congratulations! Isn't it exciting to have clowns spawning?



Here's some of the details of my irst clownfish spawn:Spawning Clowns

Kathy

[DJ88]

Well the jury is still out as to what has spawned. The Clowns or the cardinal. lol.. Either way it is cool to see..

[Callie]

I also have spawning cardinals and the eggs I have seen were orange/red and round like bb's, clowns eggs are eliptical (oval) with the white spot.
Kathy

[DJ88]

Well I think then that mystery is solved. They are/were perfectly round.

The next one is.. Why is the cardinal female spawning with no male?

I did notice she has taken an interest in the outlet for my protein skimmer. She won't leave it alone. I thought the clown's had chased her.. nope.. lol.. hmm.. I think either she needs glasses or a hubby..
Thanks Callie.