Flame Angels

[Guy W]

Well this should probably go into propagation but I'll start it here and move the converstation over there later perhaps.

I'm curious if anyone has put many (4 to 5) flame angles together before? I'm thinking about using my 125 gallon tank to create a propagation/brookstock tank for Flame Angelfish and they breed in Harems so I have to keep atleast 3, but I'd rather go with 5.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Guy

[Guy W]

Originally posted by Guy W

Anyone have any thoughts on this?


No one??? :confused:

[reefpicker]

Hi,

I believe you will find this link helpful:

Article on pigmy angelfish culture (http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT/Makai/may01/3.html)

Since I am not a regular poster, I am not sure what your current level of experience is, so I have to note that what you are attempting is extremely challenging. In fact Mr. Baensch, as far as I know, is the first one to breed this fish in captivity with comercial purposes.

Good luck.

[Guy W]

Thanks for the article, that was good.

I have been keeping salt tanks for a couple years now and recently started a small clownfish breeding setup (5 tanks/pairs). Once I get a good handle on that I will probably look more seriously into Dwarf Angels, but for the time being I wouldn't mind trying to setup my 125 with a small Harem of Flames. If they spawn regularly then when I'm ready to do Flames I won't have to hunt for breeders!

I was just looking for some suggestions on getting 3 or 4 to play nice.

Thanks again,
Guy

[reefpicker]

Hi,

I congratulate you on your interest and enthusiasm, because not many people show it...

I am sure you will be succesful with your clowns... They are not particulary difficult to breed.

Are you doing percs?

I would suggest that you closely follow Mr. Baensch article. He has also written several articles on FAMA. He has promised to share his knowledge with the public after he "explores" the technology, which IMO may be until he gets a good lead on the commercialization of pigmy angels breeding.

Also, I believe Martin Moe is on his way of breeding this fish. I think he promised a book on the subject.

I hope to hear more from your project,

[Guy W]

Currently I have 2 pairs of false percs and 1 pair of Maroons... although the system has only been up and running for 2 months so no spawning yet...

Thanks for the help and ideas, hopefully I will be able to produce some progress in the world of breeding.

Thanks again,
Guy

[wayne]

I assume you have read the FAMA article from last year ( I believe )in which Frank Baensch describes his experiences raising fry. Someone is certainly doing it as Drs. Foster and Smith (I think) are selling tank raised Flames. I have thought about C. argi.
Baensch seemed to be using pairs largely, though a harem in a large enough tank seems also like a good idea to me. I don't think getting a spawning is especialy difficult. as you see plenty of reports of that, rather it's raising the fry that seems to stop people. The Baensch article doesn't really describe that.
Clowns seem pretty straightforward, though I haven't done it myself, are dottybacks harder, or a good stepping stone? Marine bettas?

[Guy W]

I think clowns are the easiest, as well as damsels. Cardinals are easy but the male has to carry the babies to term in his mouth which can be easy or impossible. I don't know about dottybacks, I think they are more difficult but I could be wrong. I haven't looked at them at all. never looked into marine bettas.

[reefpicker]

Hi,

I met a guy once who was trying to raise dottybacks and he said the larvae where very small. If I recall correctly from Martin Moe's book, they also feed on rotifers for a longer time and have a protracted larvae period...

I think that if you can get fish to spawn in pairs (specially ornamental fish), it is better. Imagine what would happen to your broodstock if just one fish became belingerent all of a sudden!

With clownfish is the same story... Many of you probably do not know this, but in reality clownfish are commonly seen in groups (true only for some species!). Two fish are sexually mature adults, while one or more immature fish serve as "backup males". It is a long story, but basically when a female dies, the male becomes a female and one of the sub-adults or immature becomes a male... Life in the sea is weird!

Anyway, most breeders do not put more than two clownfish in a tank...

I did not know that pigmy where already comercially available....


Well now the only big challenge remaining is the Tangs...