How to Breed Salt Water Fish

Breeding saltwater fish in captivity can be very difficult, if not impossible, for most species. The saltwater fish's spawning nature is not well known since many species cannot reproduce in captivity or their young, called fry, do not survive. It is very difficult to recreate to the fish's natural habitat that will trigger spawning. However, marine fish that are raised in captivity will be more likely to spawn than wild caught fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Male-female pair or group of fish
  • Marine aquarium test kit
  • Aquarium light
  • Fish tank heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise juvenile saltwater fish in a large, clean aquarium on a protein-rich diet until they reach sexual maturity. This could take a few months to a year.

    • 2

      Identify at least one male-female pair of fish in the tank. It can be very difficult to determine gender among saltwater fish since the males and females usually appear identical.

    • 3

      Observe the behavior of the tank fish to get an idea of which fish are males and which are females. Fish that are aggressive toward one another may be two males quarreling over territory, while fish that seem friendly with one another could be a well-matched male-female pair.

    • 4

      Keep the tank's water quality and environment consistent with the fish's natural habitat. Maintain water chemistry and salinity using a marine tank test kit to monitor the water levels.

    • 5

      Provide the fish with 12 to 14 hours of light a day, and keep the water temperature at the correct level for the species. Many species of marine fish will need the heater set to 77 to 79 degrees F.

    • 6

      Condition the aquarium for reproduction. Egg-scattering fish, like angelfish, release their eggs into the water, so any strong filters should be turned off so the eggs do not get stuck. Egg-depositing fish, like clownfish, need rocks, shells or caves in which to lay their eggs.

    • 7

      Keep an eye on the physical appearance of the fish for any signs of changes. Males may become brighter in color or their markings may become more distinct during spawning, or females may swell showing signs that she is carrying eggs.