just hatched clowns

[pham411]

i noticed that a few of my clownfish eggs just hatched and their behaviors dont look very good. i just got a couple of questions.

the newly hatched fry are sparatic. it looks as they attemp to swim and just twich here and there and fall to the bottom of the tank only to do that again and again.
is this normal?

also, when do i start feeding the fry. i have food ready (rotifers and newly hatched artemia).

nething else i should know? please post your advice.

thanks

[wildeone]

I can't help you pham. I can tell you that there is a book I read that can probably get at a library called Clownfish by Joyce Wilkerson. It has a ton in it on hatching clowns and it is an easy reed. Congratulations though!

[CarmieJo]

Rob, where are you? Pham has babies!

Congrats Pham!

[Rob]

lol.. im here....

that behavior is not a good indication. the fry should, even right after hatching, be able to stay suspended in the water.
swimming is something they need still master, but they should be able of regular movement.

feeding of rotifers only should begin within 12 hours of hatching. rotifers need to be supplied 2-3 times a day to keep them all fed. Artemia can not be feed until week one or two. the clowns need to learn there hunting skills and get larger. baby brine shrimp are sharp and if ingested while they are too your, they will literally slice open the clowns stomach and kill the fry

[Rob]

also worth noting, the tank that you are rearing them in should have a white bottom, black walls and a light on the top.
the light can not be strong, or they will kill them selves trying to get away from it.
it it looks like you have a bunch of fry doing a headstand on the bottom, then your lights are too bright.
the blacked walls keep them from smacking into the sides trying to get to the light

[pham411]

what about airation, i have a few airstones in my 10 gal bare bottom, i was afraid the flow might be to strong so i left the stones close to the top of the water.

[Rob]

one airstone should be good..
i place one under or near the heater to keep the warm water circulating.

you want a good strong flow. they will usually stay away from it until then get bigger..

[Rob]

also, you dont need the 10 gallon full, i would keep only about 5 gallons of water in there until the morph and are on flak food.

the more water, the harder it is to feed them

[pham411]

thanks rob, post any other advice you have, i will check up on this thread.