Breeding Journal, Species: Sphaeramia Nematoptera

General
Species:  Sphaeramia Nematoptera
Social Structure: pair
Size of Individuals: both 3" 
Age of Individuals:  unknown
Date added to Tank: Dec 10, 2011 

Broodstock Tank Details
Size of Tank: 230 US gals 
Substrate Details: 1" crushed coral 
Filtration Details: Skimmer, refugium, filter sock, live rock, uv sterilizer 
Water Changes: 30+ gals monthly 
Water Temperature: 82 f 
Lighting: metal halide, vho 
Lighting Cycle: 14 on, 10 off 
Other Tank Inhabitants: 5 tangs, 2 wrasses, pair percula clowns, 2 cleaner shrimp

Broodstock Feeding Details
Food Types:  mysis, plankton, krill, live brine shrimp, chopped clams, squid,
Feeding Schedule:  3 times daily

Spawning Details
Date of First Spawn: Dec 14, 2011 
Spawn Time of Day: at night after lights off 
Dates of Consecutive Spawns: 12/14, 12/24, 1/3/2012, 1/13, 1/23, 2/2, 2/19,  
Courtship Details: both twitch fins at each other, female swims along side male so they are side by side facing the same direction
Egg Size: unknown they are in males mouth 
Egg Color: pinkish orange 
Egg Count: unknown

Hatch Details
Hatch Date: 
Hatch Time of Day: 
# Days after Spawn: 
Larvae Description: 


Larval Tank Details
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Larval Feeding Details
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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: 
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Size at Transfer: 
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Grow-Out Feeding Details
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Additional Information

(No Pictures or Videos in the Section Please)
Miscellaneous Information: 



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The two uper pics female swims against the male the night of the spawn (female on left).
Last pic is of the pair with lights on  

Male with eggs

Interesting!  Keep trying to get more egg shots...you want that one shot where it's undeniable exactly what you have.  BTW, how did you come across these fish that they were together for only 4 days and spawned?  Certainly there's more info here!

It took over 5 hours to get that pic with him "mouthing" the eggs, I'll keep trying.
An aquarist had them, they were in an aggressive tank, getting picked on and not very colorful so they were sold. The next aquarist took them home decided they didn't want them they were to big for their tank, and left them in a bucket for 2 days. I bought them took them home and they spawned.  

Great new shots - can at least see the buccal bulge! BTW are these from a new spawn?  If so, be sure to update the opening journal thread!

I know this thread is a bit old, but is the more-yellow-male true to life? Or does he just look like he has a yellower head in pics?

I still have the pair and they still spawn regularly.
Yes, the male has more over all coloration including Yellow.

I can easily tell them apart.

Interesting.  I wonder if that is something I can look for then in my four pajama cardinals.  They are super well fed, but no spawns yet   I wonder if I have both sexes :/
 
Have you tried doing anything with larvae?  

This is the only pair that I have seen spawn, so I can't say if there is a color difference between the sexes. But it is a possibility.
Yes, I think you have a good chance of having one pair .
No, I haven't been able to catch any larvae. I've sat up many a late night trying though!!! 

 
One would think so...but no action after nearly a year!


 
Have you tried a snagger instead?  That way you don't have to wait up

No, I planed to order one from Chad just never got around to it.