How to Induce Clown Fish to Spawn

Marine aquarium fish are often extraordinarily difficult to breed in captivity, with the result that many of the individuals you see for sale came from the wild. The trade in wild-caught aquarium fish at times causes serious conservation problems, not to mention being highly stressful for the fish. Clownfish, however, are an exception. They breed fairly readily, to the point that even a hobbyist has a good chance of success. Before starting any breeding project, ensure that you have space or can find good homes for the juveniles. In the case of clownfish, this should not be particularly difficult.

  1. Background

    • Clownfish are among the fish that change gender during their lives. Juveniles are all males, who establish a social hierarchy. As they mature the dominant member of the group becomes a female and the next in line the breeding male. The others remain neutral until they either leave the group or one of the alpha fish dies. If you acquire a bonded pair of juveniles, there is no need to sex them, as one will become the female and the other the male.

    Anemones and Clownfish

    • Clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with anemone; without one they might survive in an aquarium, but they almost certainly won̵7;t breed. Different species of clownfish, and there are over 10 in the aquarium trade, need different species of anemone. Your choice of anemone and to a lesser degree, the tank set-up, depend on which species of clownfish you wish to breed.

    Tank Set-Up

    • All species of clownfish need a mature reef tank of 45 gallons or more. The basic set-up should include coral sand, plenty of live rock and good lighting and filtration. Water parameters vary depending on the species. Keep them as close to the ideal for that species as possible. Although clownfish can live in less than perfect conditions, one of the reasons they have become so popular in the aquarium trade, they are unlikely to spawn.

    Encouraging Spawning

    • Transfer any other fish or mobile invertebrates to a separate tank. Even the most peaceful species can cause low-level stress to clownfish in the confines of a tank, so discouraging breeding. A good diet is important anyway, but especially so when encouraging your fish to breed. Most clownfish are omnivores, requiring a mixture of vegetable matter and meaty foods, such as chopped squid. Live foods, such as brine shrimp, provide extra nutrients. Don̵7;t forget to feed the anemone as well as the fish. Once spawning has occurred, allow the parents to take care of their eggs until they hatch, usually within two weeks. Afterward, you may wish to transfer at least some of the fry to a separate nursery tank.