Clownfish are a great addition to a home saltwater aquarium.They are fun to raise and can be easily bred at home.Some basic steps can help you breed clownfish in your aquarium.
Step 1: You need to know the basics of keeping a saltwater aquarium.
People who have experience with saltwater aquarium set up and maintenance should be able to take on the project of breeding fish.It's not hard to breed these fish, but you have to have the right supplies and know about fish feeding and life cycles.Before diving into breeding fish, you may want to consult How to Start a Saltwater Aquarium or how to set up a Marine Reef Aquarium.
Step 2: You can get a pair from an aquarium store.
Clownfish are external breeders, meaning that the female fish lays eggs and then the male fish fertilizes them after they have been laid.You will need a pair of clownfish that are already bonding to each other to make this happen.Clownfish breeding pairs can be found in many aquarium stores.If your store doesn't have any in stock, they can order a pair for you.Don't be afraid to ask!
Step 3: A pair.
You can develop two young clownfish into a pair of bonds yourself.Purchase two clownfish when they are still young.Clownfish are all born female and male, so you don't have to worry about having one male and one female.Any pair will do.As the fish get older, they become male or female.The sex of your fish will be determined by the dominance of the fish.Sex will change between the dominant and less dominant fish.Only one pair of clownfish will develop if you keep a lot of them in the same tank.The second most dominant will become male.The rest will not be sexy.If you want to keep the fighting to a minimum and make the fish change sex as quickly as possible, it is a good idea to get one clownfish that is larger than the other.
Step 4: The water in your tank should be clean.
Clownfish are not as sensitive to water conditions as other fish, but keeping the water clean can make them more likely to breed.
Step 5: Plants and rocks can be placed in the aquarium.
The clownfish will feel more comfortable if anemone is placed in the tank.It will increase the likelihood that your pair will breed.Live rock should be in your tank.The foundation of coral reefs is live rock, which comes from the ocean.The live rock will allow the fish to hide and give the clownfish a place to lay their eggs.
Step 6: The aquarium lighting needs to be on a timer.
It's best to keep it light during the day and dark at night.This regularity will allow your clownfish to be more relaxed.
Step 7: There are changes in clownfish behavior that signal spawning.
The female will get bigger around her middle as she prepares to release eggs.The fish may start to clean the rocks with their mouths and fins to get ready for the eggs.
Step 8: Look out for clownfish eggs.
The eggs will be orange in color and attached to the rocks once they are laid.The male clownfish will care for them, swimming around them and waving his fins to aerate them.He could pick out the ones that have died.
Step 9: There are clownfish eggs.
Clownfish eggs go through many stages of development.The eggs should hatch in about 7 to 10 days.Feed the fry live rotifers for the first week.Many species feed on rotifers.Live brine shrimp can be introduced after that.Clownfish babies only eat live food.
Step 10: Once the eggs are laid, set up a hatchling tank.
A 10 gallon tank is enough for hatchlings.If the tank has an air stone that lets off bubbles or other gentle means of oxygenation, make sure it doesn't have a large filtration system.All your tiny fry could be killed by too much filtration.You need to provide proper lighting for the fry since they will be looking for food.One light bulb is enough, and should be as diffuse as possible.
Step 11: The hatchlings should be moved to a separate tank.
Most breeders wait until the hatchlings come out of the eggs to move them, as it's more convenient.Clownfish are known to eat their own eggs and hatchlings, so you will need to raise the fry in a separate aquarium.Get the extra tank ready before the event.
Step 12: Feed your clownfish hatchlings.
The hatchlings will need fast food once they emerge from the egg sack.Clownfish hatchlings should be fed live rotifers.You should check with yours to make sure these can be found at an aquarium store.Clownfish breeders find it easier to breed rotifers for their hatchlings to eat than it is to find them at an aquarium store.If you don't have a steady supply of them, your hatchlings will die at this stage.
Step 13: They change 20% of the water in their tank daily.
In order to keep the water clean, it's important to have clear water so hatchlings can see the rotifers they need to eat.
Step 14: The transition from a fry to a fish can be difficult.
One of the hardest transitions in the life of a clownfish is when they are a juvenile.They can get enough energy to grow quickly if they transition their food from rotifers to live brine shrimp.If you want to keep saltwater reef tanks healthy, you can add vitamins and minerals to the water.
Step 15: As your fry turns into fish, watch.
If the fish make it through the transition, you should be able to see the clownfish's distinctive color.Make sure you give them enough food and keep their water clean because they should grow quickly.