Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer

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DLBerlin
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Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:39 AM
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:Epicystis crucifer
Social Structure: 9 siblings in the 550g total system all from previous reproduction, only 1 brooding larvae
Size of Individuals:4-6"
Age of Individuals:2 yrs
Date added to Tank:Born in tank

Broodstock Tank Details
Size of Tank:450g display,approx. 550g total system size
Substrate Details:2-4" sandbed
Filtration Details:protein skimmer, live rock,nitrate reactor
Water Changes: 10% approx every 6 weeks
Water Temperature:79-82
Lighting:MH
Lighting Cycle:approx 10.5 hrs day
Other Tank Inhabitants: full mixed reef, LPS dominant

Broodstock Feeding Details
Food Types: Mysis, Spectrum pellets, misc coral foods
Feeding Schedule:direct fed 1-2 times a week

Spawning Details
Date of First Spawn: unknown
Spawn Time of Day:
Dates of Consecutive Spawns:
CourtShip Details:
Egg Size:
Egg Color:
Egg Count:

Hatch Details
Hatch Date:larvae released 09-13-2009 through 10-?-2009
Hatch Time of Day:evening, developed larvae released slowly, usually in the evening over a period of approx. 4 weeks
# Days after Spawn:unknown
Larvae Description:actively moving,already metamorphosed with developed radial symmetry and mesenteries.


Larval Tank Details
Temperature:
Size of Larval Tank:
Substrate Details:
Other Tank Decor:
Filtration Details:
Lighting:
Lighting Cycle:
Water Changes:

Larval Feeding Details
Food Types:
Feeding Schedule:

Metamorphosis/Settlement
Date of Settlement Start:
Days after Hatch:
Date of Settlement End:
Description of Fry:

Grow-Out Tank Details
Temperature:
Size of Grow-Out Tank:
Substrate Details:
Other Tank Decor:
Filtration Details:
Lighting:
Lighting Cycle:
Water Changes:
Size at Transfer:
Age at Transfer

Grow-Out Feeding Details
Food Types:
Feeding Schedule:

Additional Information
Miscellaneous Information:Collected larvae did not survive more than a week, only larvae released in display tank survived. Assuming my lack of knowledge to be at fault. I am planning on pulling the brooder along with the rock it is attached to next time to a separate tank tied into the main system for larvae release.





DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:40 AM
This is the brooding anemone, the largest of 9 siblings in the 550g total system all from previous reproduction (10-2007) recorded here:http://www.michiganreefer...xual-reproduction.html
The original pair both passed due to a suspected bacterial infection.
They are now just about 2 yrs old.



DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:41 AM
I didn't see the actual spawning of the anemones, but on 09-12-2009 I noticed the developed larvae inside the anemone. I had noticed the fluid filled sacs on the column about a month or so before this but hadn't noticed anything inside them.
09-12-2009
The larvae are actively moving around inside the parents tentacles and fluid filled vesicles on the column of the anemone. They are approx. 1 to 2mm with varied sizes and colors. The larger larvae are lighter colored than the small and appear more active.



DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:42 AM
09-13-2009
I see the first larvae being expelled. Most are caught by the current in the tank and whisked directly into a waiting school of Chromis.
The expelled larvae are the larger ones, approx. 2 mm diameter



DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:42 AM
4x pics
09-21-2009
Larvae just after release are actively moving around and appear to have some zooxanthellae





 
 
 

DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 10:46 AM
12-22-2009
First sighting of offspring in display tank! So far I have found 7, all next to or under the mother. Once they get larger I expect to find more in other areas of the tank. They are very hard to see at this point even if you know where to look.


DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 9:06 AM


Original reproduction  05-09-2007 documented on Michigan Reefers here:
http://www.michiganreefer...xual-reproduction.html

on Marine Depot here:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic67640-11-1.aspx

and on RFS here:
http://www.reefstewardshi.../showthread.php?p=6708
broodstock










This kinda shows the distribution in the tank relative to the parents (circled)


Heres a closer view of the small ones scattered around the orange parent:




These offspring are now 2 years old and are the ones currently reproducing in my tank.

mPedersen
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 9:09 AM
WOW.  Wow!  WOW!

DLBerlin
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Re:Breeding Journal, Species: Epicystis crucifer - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 9:18 AM
Thank you!
Now I just need to figure out what I'm doing right!