It finally Happened

[Warnberg]

Well after two years my clowns finally laid their first clutch. It was a very small clutch of probably 30 to 40 eggs and after the first day they are disappearing, on day three they where all gone.

Is this normal? I know that breeders usually let the first two or three spawns go and the first few are very hard on the parents. What can I do to help them for future spawns?

Thanks

[V]

congrats on the loss, site owner rob among others are clown breeders of sorts.

[Rob]

first off congrats...
second everything is fine.. let the parents eat the first few.. they will likely do this naturally, just let it go...
after then stop eating them (maybe 2-8 clutches) its a sign they are starting to lay viable eggs, this is where you start trying to hatch them.

be aware, it is very likely the survival rates from these first few batches will be very low even to an experienced breeder.

the most important thing now is to keep the parents on a highly nutritious and well balanced diet. i know its sounds funny, but a unbalanced diet leads to deformities and hatching problems, and lack of nutrition simply leads to unhealthy young and/or low survival rates

[Warnberg]

Thanks Rob, that's what I figured but wasn't sure. I'm continuing with the multiple feedings a day and going to make sure they get plenty to eat.

Thanks for your advice.

[Rob]

yep..
when you have a dedicated broodstock tank its common to "overfeed" them
you just want to stuff them with as much food as possible.. this also a GREAT tip to get reluctant clowns to start breeding..

[Warnberg]

Well, they did it again and are still going.... 15 days from first spawn to second spawn... this is too cool