Looking to get into Clown breeding

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

I want to get into breeding and I was wondering if anyone had tips. Also I need help choosing a mate for my Wyoming White Clown to get the coolest offspring.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

My Clown *An old photo*

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

New Photos She likes to run around a lot.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I've never bred clowns myself, but here's the advice that I've gathered from the forum while looking into clownfish breeding:

As I understand it, the main things are proper feeding (probably several times a day) and making sure there's nothing stressing the fish out. From there, you pretty much leave them alone and they spawn.

I don't know what you're feeding, but from what I've seen with others, I'd recommend trying LRS Fertility Frenzy, black worms, and NLS or TDO pellets (Otohime is a proven brand too, but it seems to have fallen out of favor somewhat in recent months/years) for the food. Adding enriched Rotifers and pods/BBS wouldn't hurt either - and you'll need to culture the rots for the baby clowns anyway. Fresh clams are pretty much always a good idea too. That said, the feeding doesn't have to be overly complex or expensive (Paul B fed clams and blackworms and had spawning), the above is just what I've seen work for a large number of people.

Beyond that, I've heard the following tips from at least one breeder (no guarantees these would work for/help you, but it's what I've heard from a couple of confirmed breeders): clowns like dirtier water, a 14 hour light period, slightly lower salinity (1.020), and a higher temp (80-82F).

Some things that I've heard which you might want to be aware of:
- Any changes to the clowns' environment can cause them to stop spawning for a while (I've heard this can potentially last for months, but it seems to generally be a much shorter timeframe than that).
- Clownfish are apparently "racist" sometimes against clownfish of different colors than them, so it may be harder to pair them/deal with aggression between them if your broodstock (breeding) clowns are different colors.

That's what I've heard - I hope it helps. Good luck!

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

I've never bred clowns myself, but here's the advice that I've gathered from the forum while looking into clownfish breeding:

Some things that I've heard which you might want to be aware of:
- Any changes to the clowns' environment can cause them to stop spawning for a while (I've heard this can potentially last for months, but it seems to generally be a much shorter timeframe than that).
- Clownfish are apparently "racist" sometimes against clownfish of different colors than them, so it may be harder to pair them/deal with aggression between them if your broodstock (breeding) clowns are different colors.

That's what I've heard - I hope it helps. Good luck!

Thank you for the tips!

 

[Pete Luna]

If it has always been an alone, no other clownfish, she is a he

 

[Tamberav]

This is a good book. You can get the kindle/app version for $9

"Clownfishes: A Guide to Their Captive Care, Breeding & Natural History" by Joyce Wilkerson

Another is "The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes" by Maththew Wittenrich (used or hardcover is cheaper then kindle)

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

If it has always been an alone, no other clownfish, she is a he

I have had her for a week, she was slightly bigger than the others at the store. And if there is only one clown it will be the biggest so eventually the female? as far as I know it is a girl

 

[Pete Luna]

Get a smaller, it takes awhile, wont happen over night. Get a smaller one than her see how the react to each other. Get them to not want to kill each other when they are near one another thats step one

 

[melbournedan]

If it has always been an alone, no other clownfish, she is a he

wrong advice, a single clownfish will become female

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

wrong advice, a single clownfish will become female

thats what i thought

 

[Pete Luna]

wrong advice, a single clownfish will become female

I stand corrected, dug a little deeper, and melbournedan you are correct, a single clown raise alone will become female. Even without the aggression that normally triggers the change. Must be that natural female internal aggression

 

[Frank SM]

I have bred cinnamon, clarkii, maroon, ocellaris, and skunk clowns in the past. I agree with @Tamberav. Get Wilkerson's book. I had someone tell me recently that the information was outdated but I'm not sure I agree, perhaps small sections. It is still a valuable resource. Read the book, read these forums with the understanding that not everything you read will work for you, reread the book. If you find a mate for your clown, it is likely to take some time for them to start spawning so you will have plenty of time to read the book/forums and ask questions.

Good luck!