Project X: update on rock nem propagation

ahiggins · Feb 28, 2017

hey y'all! Wanted to post a quick update with how my rock nem propagation is going.

Tank specs:
10 gal
Hob filter with course pad
Low flow power head
AI prime lighting
(Random note: temp fluctuates constantly. #1,2,3 all happened right after a dip down to 74 degrees)

1st spawn: caught males releasing their "stuff" into the water and wasn't sure what it was. Let nature run its course. 4 survived. No ID of female.

2nd spawn: caught males again. Removed course filter pad in filter. 10 survived. No ID of female.

3rd spawn: caught males again. Removed filter pad, turned off filter and only ran a low flow power head. 37 survived. Still no ID of female.

4th spawn: caught female releasing babies. Turned off filter, ran low flow for 10 hours (overnight). Unable to ID babies in aquarium as this was only a few weeks ago.

Here's some update pics! You can only see 2 size differences unless you look really hard lol
pictures taken under 18.5k led with a yellow filter to easily pick out the babies. Of all the babies only 3 do not fluoresce at all.
Enjoy!
Ps. I will be at Csea in October for anyone looking to rehome some of these lovely boogers :)

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 28, 2017

Wow, that's really kinda super cool @ahiggins .

recess62 · Feb 28, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Wow, that's really kinda super cool @ahiggins .

What he said

ahiggins · Mar 1, 2017

thanks guys!
I adore these little specs lol
its my favorite part of reefing....the entire life cycle in a 10 gallon aquarium! :D :D

ahiggins · Mar 2, 2017

These two boogers were hiding during the first shoot. About the size of a dime from the first spawn:

ahiggins · Mar 27, 2017

Update on the update :)
Started to be able to physically see the 4th spawn babies!! I labeled so you can see the size difference. Spawn 1 babies are about the size of a nickel now,spawn #2 is about the size of a pencil eraser for reference. Pic was taken under 20k led and a uv light.

If anyone wants to check out some of my "ohh look what happened" along the way:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rock-nems-4th-spawn-something-cool-happened.290987/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/more-baby-rock-nems.272325/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rock-nem-breaking-video-batch-3.272868/

Jdeleon · May 1, 2017

so you just turn filtration off for like 10 hours when this happens, ive caught my nems doing it 2 times just don't know what to do.

ahiggins · May 9, 2017

Jdeleon said:
so you just turn filtration off for like 10 hours when this happens, ive caught my nems doing it 2 times just don't know what to do.

Yes and no. When the males release their clouds, I take all sponges and filter material out but I don't turn off the equipment. I suppose you could if you have an alternative way of keeping the flow. My filter is the only means of water flow so I keep it on but no media.
I do turn it off when I catch the female getting ready to release-less babies to suck up and pick off the filter. I haven't found flow to be a good or bad thing when the females release.