Unexpected Orchid Dottyback bubs
@dr_schell
In your opinion, what are the ideal conditions for optimal nanno growth (speed wise)? Because I have some orchid dottyback bubs that have hatched (that I didn't expect to!) and am wanting to give them the best chance.
Back story for everyone else:
Yesterday we moved the inhabitants of our tank from the old Akvastabil across to our new AquaReef 400 (see our TJ). During the move, Les lifted one of the rocks and an egg mass when floating away through the tank.
I collected them *hoping* that they would hatch, but having no illusions that they would given the care usually attended to them by the male Orchid. But I had an idea ....
A little while ago I had read a thread on another forum where a member had succesfully hatched eggs with similar care requirements by putting them in water with an airstone that tumbled them gently. So I dug up an old artemia hatchery that we had purchased and hooked it up using a valve to control the flow.
I mounted the unit in our new sump (using water from the old tank) and turned it on. Sure enough, I was able to get the mass to tumble nicely, so I closed the cabinet and left them alone.
I knew that the bubs weren't far off hatching b/c I could see their little eyes, but I wasn't expecting what I just saw:
Baby Dottybacks being tumbled around with the mass! They've started to hatch!!
...But now I've got to feed them and I'm not prepared at ALL b/c it's been a while since I last saw Dottyback bubs in the tank so I'd assumed that they weren't breeding ATM :( Buggar.
Anywho, I'm going to see if I can get my nanno producing fast enough to sustain enough rots to grow these lil guys - but again, I'm not holding my breath.
Pics and vid below :)
In your opinion, what are the ideal conditions for optimal nanno growth (speed wise)? Because I have some orchid dottyback bubs that have hatched (that I didn't expect to!) and am wanting to give them the best chance.
Back story for everyone else:
Yesterday we moved the inhabitants of our tank from the old Akvastabil across to our new AquaReef 400 (see our TJ). During the move, Les lifted one of the rocks and an egg mass when floating away through the tank.
I collected them *hoping* that they would hatch, but having no illusions that they would given the care usually attended to them by the male Orchid. But I had an idea ....
A little while ago I had read a thread on another forum where a member had succesfully hatched eggs with similar care requirements by putting them in water with an airstone that tumbled them gently. So I dug up an old artemia hatchery that we had purchased and hooked it up using a valve to control the flow.
I mounted the unit in our new sump (using water from the old tank) and turned it on. Sure enough, I was able to get the mass to tumble nicely, so I closed the cabinet and left them alone.
I knew that the bubs weren't far off hatching b/c I could see their little eyes, but I wasn't expecting what I just saw:
Baby Dottybacks being tumbled around with the mass! They've started to hatch!!
...But now I've got to feed them and I'm not prepared at ALL b/c it's been a while since I last saw Dottyback bubs in the tank so I'd assumed that they weren't breeding ATM :( Buggar.
Anywho, I'm going to see if I can get my nanno producing fast enough to sustain enough rots to grow these lil guys - but again, I'm not holding my breath.
Pics and vid below :)
