Amphiprion allardi (African Allardi Clownfish) Breeding Log!

mwp · 11/08/2006, 06:13 PM

11-8-06 - Why not start another log right from the beginning?

In a nutshell, I had the opportunity to obtain a hand-picked pair of Allardi clowns through a LFS at a VERY reasonable price. Although this was not the ideal time, I couldn't pass it up. Originally I would've picked them up yesterday, but Alice eating a dozen chicken wings, tinfoil and celery had me dealing with the Vet instead (the pooch appears to be just fine by the way). So the pair got a 24-hour layover at Fish Planet in Deerfield before making it home today (it's nice when a trip back to the vet brings home more fish as well

) Steve simply picked what he felt where the best two on the smaller side (I didn't want full blown adults)...within that first 24 hours at Fish Planet they were already acting like a pair. I have to say, Steve has an AWESOME track record of helping me obtain broodstock when I'm looking...my TR Bangaii's, my Glass Cardinals, My first pair of mandarins...and now the Black OC's and Allardi's. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

So, for now, things are in a temporary situation, the new Allardi pair is sharing quarters with our other recently added pair of clownfish, the Black OCs. Whether this will work out long term or not remains to be seen...in fact the plan was specifically to NOT have two clownfish species sharing a tank, but since the cardinalfish 24 is still running a slight case of ICH that just won't go away, the Allardis and Black Ocellaris will have to sort it out for now.

So far, no aggression between the 4 clownfish, both pairs for the most part are sticking together. The Allardi are in exceptional good spirits, chowing down on Cyclopeze only minutes after addition to the tank. Having these gorgeous fish in my tanks now, I wonder how I ever lived with out them. Ultimately, I may end up with 4 pairs of clowns...the creative math tells me that our Onyx Percs can stay in their 24, the Allardi can ultimately go into the Cardinalfish tank, the Black OC's can take up residence in Renee's 6 gallon if need be, leaving room in the Seahorse tank for the Latz if and when I ever find them - the seahorse/mandarin #1 pair tank being ideal for latezonatus due to it's cooler running temperature, not to mention that the Latz will probably not be as aggressive as the Allardi in the long run.

So anyways, that's the madness for now...here's pics of our latest charges. Think I can get these spawning by February '07? It's a personal goal anyway...I like to push the envelope!

Allardi pair being acclimated

The newlyweds on their Honeymoon...little do they realize that it's at minimum an extended stay...

Somewhat typical of how the two pairs are acting for the most part since the introduction of the Allardi's this evening.

FWIW,

Matt

danfrith · 11/08/2006, 09:46 PM

Not another breeding log.

Well, as always, good luck with these. BTW, beautiful clownfish!!!!!

mwp · 11/08/2006, 11:51 PM

Danfirth, you better BELIEVE another breeding log. Hey, there's like 2 "failed" logs out there, one on my short lived flame project and my informal one on the Ecsenius graveri pair (which now resides in my buddy's tank...they re-paired with each other quite nicely after having to be separated here, and get this, his tank is SMALLER!)

February '07...I'll put the countdown at 4 months for now...it's beyond optimistic I think...

Matt

FishGuttz · 11/09/2006, 08:17 AM

beautiful stripes on those fish!

danfrith · 11/09/2006, 06:27 PM

your not doin the flames anymore?

mwp · 11/09/2006, 06:38 PM

This is a different tank than the flames. Check the flame thread for details. Nutshell, we only have a male flame now

No "I told ya so's" cause I'm pretty sure she wasn't killed by her mate. Just unfortunate circumstances.

Matt

David M · 11/09/2006, 08:03 PM

Dang, lost one of the 20 or 30 fish you keep in your 24 gallon tank? Imagine that

JJ dude, but you know that everyone thinks your'e a lunatic

SueQ · 11/09/2006, 10:08 PM

Those are beautiful!! I want some

Can't wait to see your progress with these guys!

mwp · 11/10/2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David M
Dang, lost one of the 20 or 30 fish you keep in your 24 gallon tank? Imagine that

JJ dude, but you know that everyone thinks your'e a lunatic

- yup, that's me most days. All I can really say is here's today's water tests:

24 Gallon with 11 fish (Seahorses, Mandarins, Rusties and the 2 clown pairs) - 0.5 ppm.

24 Gallon with 12 fish (cardinals, mandarins, rsbs, gobies etc.) - 0.5 ppm.

24 Gallon with 6 fish (Perc Pair, flame, wrasse, jawfish and purple fire) - 20 ppm.

They all get weekly water changes, they all are basically stock nanocubes with live sand, only added airstones to the middle chamber and surface skimmers. Before the skimmers & airstones, we had a near total wipeout mid 2005 (almost lost our perc pair, lost several fish) that could only be explained as poor gas exchange based on water tests and the condition of the living (and dead) fish. People raise 50-100 clowns in a 10 gallon...why shouldn't I have a few dozen fish in a 24 gallon tank?

It's all about those weekly 5 gallon water changes....not nuts, just "experienced & advanced"

An interesting side note, it looks like our two pairs may be considering swapping partners, so they may have to be separated out sooner than initially expected!

Matt

Cuervo · 11/10/2006, 08:33 AM

lol your clownfish are swingers eh?

mwp · 11/10/2006, 09:41 AM

I can't say they're swinging for sure, but everyone once in a while the "pairs" seem to be swapping out. Late last night, I walked by the tank, and both pairs were as they should be, tightly hanging out with their mates, but during the day they seem pretty content to check each other out and interact. It may just be that they're still curious juvies vs. full blown pairs.

Matt

ediaz · 11/10/2006, 10:41 AM

I am gonna buy a blue ring octopus and pet it...

CanesDave · 11/10/2006, 10:45 AM

You should check out my cone snail species tank.

mwp · 11/10/2006, 10:47 PM

I was wondering if this might happen. Guess the Black OC's will be the ones moving now, as our Allardi have really "upped" their pair bond in the last 24 hours and are now hosting sprodically in a pair of Rhodactis sanctithomae!

Matt

gemini aquarius(t) · 11/11/2006, 12:35 AM

nice clowns! good luck with the breeding!

mwp · 11/13/2006, 05:13 PM

Not much to say on the Black OC front, but since their introduction last week, the Allardi have really settled in well. The days of "interchanging mates" have past...at least I think so. Both pairs are sticking with their mates.

The Allardi have figured out that I use the cup-coral as a feeding dish for the mandarins and seahorses. The larger one came in with a slight case of malnourishment (slightly sunken in above the eyes along the spine)...that's starting to fill out and the gut on the big one, well, it's obvious that this fish has NO qualms about eating to satiation!

So that's the news...I've upped the temp on this tank a bit..looking for around 80F (screw the ponies, if they haven't spawned for me by now, I really could care less

). Trying to put some major growth onto these fish!

Matt

jallard · 11/13/2006, 08:55 PM

Good luck to you......with your Allardi's. I have had my 2 allardis for a bit now and love them! Feb of '07 is quite optimistic... your "pair" seems pretty young.

If it works out lemme know what your secrete is

danfrith · 11/13/2006, 10:05 PM

Anything can happen in matts tanks.

mwp · 11/14/2006, 12:08 AM

Jallard, I KNOW Feb '07 is beyond optimistic - just dreaming for a while. They are getting simply PUMPED FULL of quality food at a good temp...they're gonna start putting on the pounds in no time if my plan works out. Maybe March '07 is more realistic?

Seriously, I have no clue when they'll breed. For that matter, I haven't really found any hard and fast information specific to Allardi, only general "Clarki-complex" info which is suggestive that mine could get to maturity a lot faster than, oh say my percs (which took about 1.5 years post-purchase)

FWIW,

Matt

mwp · 11/14/2006, 12:25 PM

Just another quick update. The level of aggression is definitely increasing. Last night the pairs were paired up, hanging tight together all night....no mate swapping

Today, the larger allardi is definitely starting to "strut". It's making lots of tailbeats towards it's "mate", and has undertaken some head-to-head combat and circling with the larger Black Ocellaris, driving it back away from the cup coral feeding station.

It may only be a matter of time before I have to separate these two pairs.

Matt

mwp · 12/05/2006, 11:26 AM

An update on the Allardi...it's been a couple weeks since I noted their behavior. Lately, it seems that during the day, the larger fish is pretty dominating over the smaller allardi (which also is the smallest clown in the tank). At night however, both the Black Ocellaris pair and the Allardi pair hang with their respective mates. So far, it seems that the presence of the Allardi has strengthened the Black OC pair bond, but conversely the Black OC's presence seems to have weakened the bond between the 2 Allardi...

HMM.

Matt

Kmiec123 · 12/05/2006, 03:49 PM

Very cool clowns Matt, Just wondering if having two pair in a tank, even though different type, can prevent the small juvi to change into/take on male role or remain juvi, being it's the smallest of four. You know I don't know, Just askin'/thinkin'

Best of luck..Carl

mwp · 12/05/2006, 05:29 PM

Carl, you're actually thinking along the same lines I'm thinking....

Matt

Kmiec123 · 12/05/2006, 06:04 PM

That really scares me

vaporize · 12/05/2006, 10:41 PM

oh wow, Congrats Matt, you are doing great with all these unusual clowns breeding, keep it going.

11/09/2006, 08:03 PM	#7
David M Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Diego ( La Mesa) Posts: 2,831	Dang, lost one of the 20 or 30 fish you keep in your 24 gallon tank? Imagine that JJ dude, but you know that everyone thinks your'e a lunatic __________________ These are my rotifers. Without my rotifers I am nothing. Without me my rotifers are nothing. Current Tank Info: 125 Caribbean theme folr, 800 gallon breeding system w/ mostly clownfish.

11/10/2006, 10:41 AM	#12
ediaz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 1,128	I am gonna buy a blue ring octopus and pet it... __________________ The Ediaz I'll just leave it blank

11/11/2006, 12:35 AM	#15
gemini aquarius(t) Always Learning Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 5,099	nice clowns! good luck with the breeding! __________________ -Xavier Blue Thumb Aquatix @BTAquatix

11/13/2006, 08:55 PM	#17
jallard Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,960	Good luck to you......with your Allardi's. I have had my 2 allardis for a bit now and love them! Feb of '07 is quite optimistic... your "pair" seems pretty young. If it works out lemme know what your secrete is __________________ (\__/) (='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny (")_(")into your signature to help him gain world domination. URL removed per User Agreement Current Tank Info: 34g Solana

12/05/2006, 03:49 PM	#22
Kmiec123 Actual CMAS Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NW Side Chicago Posts: 2,743 Blog Entries: 1	Very cool clowns Matt, Just wondering if having two pair in a tank, even though different type, can prevent the small juvi to change into/take on male role or remain juvi, being it's the smallest of four. You know I don't know, Just askin'/thinkin' Best of luck..Carl __________________ Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. Current Tank Info: All-Glass 120 Gal #12348 W/ Dual overflow 48x24x24. Dual 400w MH with VHO atintic. Rod's sump design with old Euro reef skimmer Wife's tank 55 Gal w/cylone Bio-filter #cy194 w/ Sendra 3500 on Skimmer. Korella's for flow.

11/08/2006, 06:13 PM	#1
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Amphiprion allardi (African Allardi Clownfish) Breeding Log! 11-8-06 - Why not start another log right from the beginning? In a nutshell, I had the opportunity to obtain a hand-picked pair of Allardi clowns through a LFS at a VERY reasonable price. Although this was not the ideal time, I couldn't pass it up. Originally I would've picked them up yesterday, but Alice eating a dozen chicken wings, tinfoil and celery had me dealing with the Vet instead (the pooch appears to be just fine by the way). So the pair got a 24-hour layover at Fish Planet in Deerfield before making it home today (it's nice when a trip back to the vet brings home more fish as well ) Steve simply picked what he felt where the best two on the smaller side (I didn't want full blown adults)...within that first 24 hours at Fish Planet they were already acting like a pair. I have to say, Steve has an AWESOME track record of helping me obtain broodstock when I'm looking...my TR Bangaii's, my Glass Cardinals, My first pair of mandarins...and now the Black OC's and Allardi's. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. So, for now, things are in a temporary situation, the new Allardi pair is sharing quarters with our other recently added pair of clownfish, the Black OCs. Whether this will work out long term or not remains to be seen...in fact the plan was specifically to NOT have two clownfish species sharing a tank, but since the cardinalfish 24 is still running a slight case of ICH that just won't go away, the Allardis and Black Ocellaris will have to sort it out for now. So far, no aggression between the 4 clownfish, both pairs for the most part are sticking together. The Allardi are in exceptional good spirits, chowing down on Cyclopeze only minutes after addition to the tank. Having these gorgeous fish in my tanks now, I wonder how I ever lived with out them. Ultimately, I may end up with 4 pairs of clowns...the creative math tells me that our Onyx Percs can stay in their 24, the Allardi can ultimately go into the Cardinalfish tank, the Black OC's can take up residence in Renee's 6 gallon if need be, leaving room in the Seahorse tank for the Latz if and when I ever find them - the seahorse/mandarin #1 pair tank being ideal for latezonatus due to it's cooler running temperature, not to mention that the Latz will probably not be as aggressive as the Allardi in the long run. So anyways, that's the madness for now...here's pics of our latest charges. Think I can get these spawning by February '07? It's a personal goal anyway...I like to push the envelope! Allardi pair being acclimated The newlyweds on their Honeymoon...little do they realize that it's at minimum an extended stay... Somewhat typical of how the two pairs are acting for the most part since the introduction of the Allardi's this evening. FWIW, Matt

11/08/2006, 09:46 PM	#2
danfrith Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: st. louis, missouri Posts: 1,470	Not another breeding log. Well, as always, good luck with these. BTW, beautiful clownfish!!!!!

11/08/2006, 11:51 PM	#3
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Danfirth, you better BELIEVE another breeding log. Hey, there's like 2 "failed" logs out there, one on my short lived flame project and my informal one on the Ecsenius graveri pair (which now resides in my buddy's tank...they re-paired with each other quite nicely after having to be separated here, and get this, his tank is SMALLER!) February '07...I'll put the countdown at 4 months for now...it's beyond optimistic I think... Matt

11/09/2006, 08:17 AM	#4
FishGuttz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC-- Posts: 173	beautiful stripes on those fish!

11/09/2006, 06:27 PM	#5
danfrith Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: st. louis, missouri Posts: 1,470	your not doin the flames anymore?

11/09/2006, 06:38 PM	#6
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	This is a different tank than the flames. Check the flame thread for details. Nutshell, we only have a male flame now No "I told ya so's" cause I'm pretty sure she wasn't killed by her mate. Just unfortunate circumstances. Matt

11/09/2006, 10:08 PM	#8
SueQ Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 678	Those are beautiful!! I want some Can't wait to see your progress with these guys!

11/10/2006, 08:33 AM	#10
Cuervo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Melbourne, Fla Posts: 395	lol your clownfish are swingers eh?

11/10/2006, 09:41 AM	#11
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	I can't say they're swinging for sure, but everyone once in a while the "pairs" seem to be swapping out. Late last night, I walked by the tank, and both pairs were as they should be, tightly hanging out with their mates, but during the day they seem pretty content to check each other out and interact. It may just be that they're still curious juvies vs. full blown pairs. Matt

11/10/2006, 10:45 AM	#13
CanesDave Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 128	You should check out my cone snail species tank.

11/10/2006, 10:47 PM	#14
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	I was wondering if this might happen. Guess the Black OC's will be the ones moving now, as our Allardi have really "upped" their pair bond in the last 24 hours and are now hosting sprodically in a pair of Rhodactis sanctithomae! Matt

11/13/2006, 05:13 PM	#16
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Not much to say on the Black OC front, but since their introduction last week, the Allardi have really settled in well. The days of "interchanging mates" have past...at least I think so. Both pairs are sticking with their mates. The Allardi have figured out that I use the cup-coral as a feeding dish for the mandarins and seahorses. The larger one came in with a slight case of malnourishment (slightly sunken in above the eyes along the spine)...that's starting to fill out and the gut on the big one, well, it's obvious that this fish has NO qualms about eating to satiation! So that's the news...I've upped the temp on this tank a bit..looking for around 80F (screw the ponies, if they haven't spawned for me by now, I really could care less ). Trying to put some major growth onto these fish! Matt

11/13/2006, 10:05 PM	#18
danfrith Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: st. louis, missouri Posts: 1,470	Anything can happen in matts tanks.

11/14/2006, 12:08 AM	#19
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Jallard, I KNOW Feb '07 is beyond optimistic - just dreaming for a while. They are getting simply PUMPED FULL of quality food at a good temp...they're gonna start putting on the pounds in no time if my plan works out. Maybe March '07 is more realistic? Seriously, I have no clue when they'll breed. For that matter, I haven't really found any hard and fast information specific to Allardi, only general "Clarki-complex" info which is suggestive that mine could get to maturity a lot faster than, oh say my percs (which took about 1.5 years post-purchase) FWIW, Matt

11/14/2006, 12:25 PM	#20
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Just another quick update. The level of aggression is definitely increasing. Last night the pairs were paired up, hanging tight together all night....no mate swapping Today, the larger allardi is definitely starting to "strut". It's making lots of tailbeats towards it's "mate", and has undertaken some head-to-head combat and circling with the larger Black Ocellaris, driving it back away from the cup coral feeding station. It may only be a matter of time before I have to separate these two pairs. Matt

12/05/2006, 11:26 AM	#21
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	An update on the Allardi...it's been a couple weeks since I noted their behavior. Lately, it seems that during the day, the larger fish is pretty dominating over the smaller allardi (which also is the smallest clown in the tank). At night however, both the Black Ocellaris pair and the Allardi pair hang with their respective mates. So far, it seems that the presence of the Allardi has strengthened the Black OC pair bond, but conversely the Black OC's presence seems to have weakened the bond between the 2 Allardi... HMM. Matt

12/05/2006, 05:29 PM	#23
mwp Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,637	Carl, you're actually thinking along the same lines I'm thinking.... Matt

12/05/2006, 06:04 PM	#24
Kmiec123 Actual CMAS Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NW Side Chicago Posts: 2,743 Blog Entries: 1	That really scares me __________________ Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. Current Tank Info: All-Glass 120 Gal #12348 W/ Dual overflow 48x24x24. Dual 400w MH with VHO atintic. Rod's sump design with old Euro reef skimmer Wife's tank 55 Gal w/cylone Bio-filter #cy194 w/ Sendra 3500 on Skimmer. Korella's for flow.

12/05/2006, 10:41 PM	#25
vaporize Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Canada Posts: 750	oh wow, Congrats Matt, you are doing great with all these unusual clowns breeding, keep it going.