First foods and times

Well, I thought I knew this but now that I actually have to do it, I realized I don't actually know!
To sum up where I'm at in a fast manner, I've had dismal success so far with my pair of clown fish (supposedly picasso) until this most recent hatch.  All fry would die hours after hatching and I'd get really low hatch rates to boot.  I think I'm starting to overcome that, especially with this latest hatch.
 
Mainly, I think I have 5 fry still alive about 3 dph.  Its my longest record so far.  They have really increased in size quite a bit so I'm pretty sure they are eating the rotifers.
 
How long do I feed them rotifers for?  What do I feed them after rotifers (I have TDO, the breeder pack with all the different sizes).
 
When do they typically go through metamorphosis?
 
Thanks! 

I haven't done percula, so I can't answer specifically from personal experience about when they should switch from rots to bbs, and when they start meta.  However, I will say that you can tell if they are eating the rotifers based on the color of their stomachs.  If it looks silver from the side that means they are eating rots.  You can also tell if they are eating by looking at them from the top. If they look like peanuts in the shell with a tail (one bulge for the eyes, the other bulge for the stomach), they are eating well.
 
Generally speaking, I would wait a couple days to try nhbbs, but you could probably try smaller crushed, dry foods now.  Just make sure to get the uneaten food back out so you don't end up with gross water.

Thanks for the info!
 
Do I have to feed bbs? or can I start dry foods already?

bbs can bring more problems than benefits and with clowns, I think you can get away with skipping the bbs.  One of batches of A. ocellaris I raised I didn't use them at all.  I went from rots to dry foods, but there were also Tisbe in the tank.  I would say you could start dry foods, but only add a small amount.  You don't want to flood the tank with items they won't recognize as food and just have it go to waste and foul up the water.  Definitely start slow, watch them closely and see if they "strike" at the dry food.  Also watch to see if the color of their stomachs change (from silver to whatever color the dry food is).  And try to feed the dry food when they are the hungriest (for example, in the morning before you would usually add rotifers).

Thanks again.  How about the sponge filter.  When do you usually add that?

I usually didn't add it until after meta, but I have seen some people add it before. 

In the past I've always start TDO A around day 3.  Recently, upon suggestion from someone else, I held off on the dry food until after meta.  I am getting really good survival this way.

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]

I start adding a tiny bit of TDO A around day 4-5. I feed a bit more each day and let rotifers dwindle until they are eventually gone.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

+1
Meta for me is around day 10-12.
I add a sponge filter around day 13-14.

Thanks for all the info!
 
If you don't add the filter sponge till day 10, how do you handle ammonia until then?  Water changes or chemicals?
 
When do you guys stop worrying about tinting the water green?

Usually I start dusting it on day 4.  Recently when I did that, I had about 20 dead with orange stomachs, exploded, the next day.  They literally busted their guts.  I'm holding off a few more days now.

check out Kathy's Clowns, llc website:
http://kathysclowns.com
Captive bred clownfish and more
(Wholesale to the trade.)

YES

check out Kathy's Clowns, llc website:
http://kathysclowns.com
Captive bred clownfish and more
(Wholesale to the trade.)

are you still sticking with the traditional rotifers then to nhbbs or has any body gone completely brine free on a batch and had good success rates. which pod varieties were you substituting? 

I go from rotifers to TDO with no problems. 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

I haven't hatched a brine shrimp in years.

check out Kathy's Clowns, llc website:
http://kathysclowns.com
Captive bred clownfish and more
(Wholesale to the trade.)

mmmm... maybe I need to go read one of your clown journals again Kathy... ! I'm thinking I'm ditching the brine here soon. I'm finding more problems than anything else. or just one extra task to do... lol.
 
Thanks! 
 

What days are folks going to TDO b and c?

I wouldn't be able to say "by this day I switch to..." I just go by what seems appropriate based on the size of fish. If the A is looking small I'll try the B1 and if they eat it then good if they don't I'll try again in a couple days. It's really just going to depends on growth rates.

Hey, 
 
This is what my feeding looks like. On the first 2 days of a new size I use very little. 

 







 

Thanks!

we have a chart that MBI members helped me put together for this very purpose.  Feel free to email our Tech Support for it.

I think I'm over feeding my babies. 32 DPH and some are sideways with swollen bellies. Feeding TDO B1 AND B2.