This month our Maldivian Clownfish (Amphiprion nigripes) pairs have been busy laying eggs – we had a record of 13 spawns, with approximately 200 to 1200 eggs per breeding pair. Unfortunately, the eggs from five of the spawns were eaten by the parents – a behaviour often seen in captivity for the initial spawns, and particularly if the eggs are pale in colour.

We have had two spawns successfully hatch so far this month, with a further three spawns expected to hatch in June. But keeping the larvae alive is proving to be quite a challenge, not least due to their specialised diet – for the first five days they can only eat rotifers (Rotifera), and on the 6th day onwards they also start to eat brine shrimp (Artemia).

Fish Lab - Maldivian Clownfish larva (2 days old)

Maldivian Clownfish larva (2 days old)

Fish Lab - zooplankton - rotifers with eggs

Zooplankton – rotifers with eggs

Fish Lab - Artemia brine shrimp (1 day old)

Artemia brine shrimp (1 day old)

Fish Lab - Maldivian Clownfish (Amphiprion nigripes) with spawn

Maldivian Clownfish with spawn

Fish Lab - Maldivian Clownfish (Amphiprion nigripes) juvenile

Maldivian Clownfish juvenile

Fish Lab - Sea Horse

Sea Horse