Clown Fish Reproduction

[wwidener]

So, I have two regular orange clownfish and a Christmas wrasse in my 29g Biocube tank. I'm aware of the clownfish sex change process. I'm wondering if there is anything preventing one of my clowns from becoming the female and reproducing.I would like to provoke breeding. How can I do this? Also, what would their eggs look like? Thanks!

 

[Maritimer]

One should become female as she grows - you'll notice her becoming larger than the other, and more dominant.

Clownfish eggs look pretty much like what they did in the movie. (A plaque of tiny orange spheres, which, as they grow larger, become silvery with the eyes of the developing larvae.)

You may find that the Christmas wrasse outgrows the 29 . . .

~Bruce

P.S. - Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

How old are your clowns? My Black Ocellaris is nearly 2.5 years old and she still isn't to what I would consider breeding size. She's definitely the boss of my smaller male regular ocellaris and he's all the time keeping a spot clean under the frogspawn they host together.

 

[pickupman66]

Cannot rush nature either. they should in due time. It took mine 4 years after they were paired to begin to lay. I didnt do anything special to them though. I have had my male for about 6 years and the female for 7

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Cannot rush nature either. they should in due time. It took mine 4 years after they were paired to begin to lay. I didnt do anything special to them though. I have had my male for about 6 years and the female for 7

Nice to know, I wasn't really sure how old they needed to be in order for breeding to be possible. I actually hope they don't breed in my tank! If they do I'll have to invest in grow-out tanks and baby clownfish food and also have to deal with moody clownfish parents!

 

[Blue Lip]

Having lights on a timer I believe helps.