Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (JimWelsh)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:37:18 GMT

Done.

Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (mPedersen)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:30:52 GMT

Nice, far better info now! Thanks Jim! Be sure to go edit your pending 60 DPS report as well

Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (JimWelsh)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:28:32 GMT

Actually, you jarred my memory, Matt. Thanks! First post edited to add additional grow-out feeding info.

Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (mPedersen)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:19:28 GMT

Nice journal Jim. I have only one question - the grow out foods...you didn't give them mysis or brine at any point?

Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (JimWelsh)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:36:50 GMT

Here is a video I took of an egg transfer from this pair on 1 March 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVyCW5yliNQ

And here is a video I took of the male giving birth (same pair) on 17 May 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpGTeRKgE1c

Here is a picture of the first brood hitching on their first day:
[attachment=0]
and another (my MOFIB avatar was edited from this image):
[attachment=1]

Here is a picture of two of these exactly one year later on their first birthday:
[attachment=2]

Breeding Journal, Species: Hippocampus erectus (JimWelsh)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:26:54 GMT

Breeding Journal DataSheet
This first post should be updated regularly to include new information as events take place or changes are made to your system

General
Species: Hippocampus erectus
Social Structure: One mated pair
Size of Individuals: 6"
Age of Individuals: Appx. one year
Date added to Tank: 7 December 2006

Broodstock Tank Details
Size of Tank: 65 Gallons
Substrate Details: Aragonite Sand, Live Rock
Filtration Details: 100 micron polyester mesh sock, protein skimmer, chaetomorpha in sump
Water Changes: 10% weekly
Water Temperature: 76-78 F
Lighting: 96W CF Actinic + 96W CF Daylight
Lighting Cycle: 12h on / 12h off
Other Tank Inhabitants: 3 Pyjama Cardinals, 1 Orchid Dottyback, 1 Scooter Blenny, 5 Green Chromis, 4 Peppermint shrimp, Clean Up Crew

Broodstock Feeding Details
Food Types: PE Mysis, Hikari Mysis, SF Bay Spirulina Brine
Feeding Schedule: 2-3 times daily

Spawning Details
Date of First Spawn: 7 December 2006
Spawn Time of Day: Unknown
Dates of Consecutive Spawns: About every 2 weeks
Courtship Details: Male flashes colors, Female does head bobbing, they swim up in water column together, egg transfer!
Egg Size: Unknown
Egg Color: Orange (I've seen a few spilled)
Egg Count: Usually around 50

Hatch Details
Hatch Date: 19 December 2006
Hatch Time of Day: Morning, right after lights go on
# Days after Spawn: 14
Larvae Description: 8 mm, tiny replicas of parents

Larval Tank Details
Temperature: Ambient room temp - 72F
Size of Larval Tank: 10 Gallon
Substrate Details: Bare Bottom
Other Tank Decor: Fake plant for hitching
Filtration Details: HOB Penguin filter
Lighting: Fluorescent strip light
Lighting Cycle: on 24 hrs first couple of weeks
Water Changes: Large and frequent

Larval Feeding Details
Food Types: NHBBS, Enriched BBS
Feeding Schedule: Several times a day

Metamorphosis/Settlement
Date of Settlement Start: Immediate hitching first day
Days after Hatch: 0
Date of Settlement End: 19 December 2006
Description of Fry: Same as at birth

Grow-Out Tank Details
Temperature: Ambient room temp 72F
Size of Grow-Out Tank: 29 Gallon
Substrate Details: Bare Bottom w/ lots of live rock
Other Tank Decor:
Filtration Details: Airstone + screened powerhead
Lighting: Fluorescent strip light
Lighting Cycle: 12h on / 12h off
Water Changes: Very few.
Size at Transfer: 12 mm
Age at Transfer: 2 weeks

Grow-Out Feeding Details
Food Types: Copeopds, isopods + amphipods in tank from copious live rock, supplemented with enriched BBS from time to time. At about 2 months, they were moved to a 10 gallon tank with a HOB filter. Started transitioning onto frozen by adding shaved mysis to the enriched BBS, gradually adding more and more at each feeding. After a week to 1 1/2 weeks, all were eating shaved mysis. Also, occasional frozen cyclops were used to wean them onto frozen foods. Then, upgraded them to Hikari mysis. Once they were eating Hikari, they moved into display tank with parents.
Feeding Schedule: When hungry, eat. When tired, sleep.

Additional Information
Miscellaneous Information: I managed to raise 4 of the first brood of 42 fry to adulthood.

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