Breeding Journal, Species: Sphaeramia nematoptera

General
Species:  Sphaeramia nematoptera
Social Structure:  Group of 3
Size of Individuals:  2 1/2"
Age of Individuals:  3 years +
Date added to Tank:  10/15/2006

Broodstock Tank Details
Size of Tank:  65 Gallon
Substrate Details:  Aragonite Sand + Live Rock
Filtration Details:  100 Micron polyester 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:  Various seahorses,  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:  Shortly before 10/31/2009
Spawn Time of Day:  Unknown
Dates of Consecutive Spawns:  11/19/2009, 12/5/2009
Courtship Details:  The male and female hang out together.  The "third wheel" is usually on the other side of the tank.  Courtship was never observed.
Egg Size:  Small
Egg Color:  Orange
Egg Count:  Hundreds

Hatch Details
Hatch Date:  11/26/2009
Hatch Time of Day:  1:00 - 2:00 PM
# Days after Spawn:  7
Larvae Description:  Small prolarvae with conspicuous yolk sack.  No mouth.


Larval Tank Details
Temperature:  They never made it this far.
Size of Larval Tank: 
Substrate Details: 
Other Tank Decor: 
Filtration Details: 
Lighting: 
Lighting Cycle: 
Water Changes: 

Larval Feeding Details
Food Types:  N/A
Feeding Schedule: 

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

Grow-Out Tank Details
Temperature:  N/A
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:  N/A
Feeding Schedule: 

Additional Information
Miscellaneous Information:  This was my first experience with these, last year.  I'm documenting the spawn and hatch events.



You will be required to provide photographic evidence in this thread of each event submitted for the MBI Program.
If your thread does not contain these photos the MBI Committee will not be able to approve your reports.

Here is a picture of the eggs from the 11/19/2009 spawning event:

 
And another:

 

Attached Image(s)

Here is a picture of the larvae at just a few minutes post hatch:

 
And another:

 

Attached Image(s)

Jim, did these fish hatch at 1-2pm naturally? Meaning did the father release them then on his own?
 
Oh nevermind they were in a tumbler... Were the lights on?

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