Posted By ScottT on 09-17-2009 10:33 PM
To my question. The pair seem to have eaten the eggs before their designated hatch. Is this normal, due to the stress of moving? How long do you think it will take them to lay eggs again?
Scott - I recently moved my pairs from Chicago to Duluth. All 3 clown pairs had spawns right before the move. The ocellaris pair, my most frequent spawners (every 10 days) spawned only a few days after the move. My Black Ocellaris and Onyx Percs have yet to spawn.
It's common knowledge that clownfish pairs that spawn, even routinely can be put off for weeks, months, or even longer, as a result of a move. It can be further compounded when the fish actually change hands (i.e. the care routine from the original owner may not be the same as that of the new owner, and that can affect the fish's reproductive capabitities and inclinations).
The eggs could easily have been damaged through the move, either from the drop or from the lack of parental care while moving. The parents normally eat bad clutches anyway, and even if the eggs had been viable following the short move, the stress of the move easily could cause the pair to abort caring for the clutch, causing the eggs to die.
When they will spawn next? Hard to say, but I can offer that Ocellaris tend to be one of the most reliable and resiliant spawners according to the general consensus. The best things you can do are get them settled in, pumped full of quality foods, and be patient. If you're giving them the proper care, they will do what comes naturally. Hopefully sooner rather than later, as was the case with my own Ocellaris pair!
Good luck!
Matt
Matt