Bi-colour blennies breeding, need some help please

[zgenius]

My bicolour blennies have layed eggs atleast 3 times now in the last 2 months or so and I would like to take the plunge and try to rear them. I have read alot about breeding other fish but I cant seem to find any info on breeding bicolour blennies on this site or any other.

They have been laying them in a koralia 1 that was shut off in my display tank so it can be easily removed to my other fish less 30 gal tank. But I cant really see any eyes on the eggs to know when to take them out. After about 2 weeks or so the eggs disapear and I am sure no one else is eating the eggs.

They are both wild caught and from what I have read there is no documentation of these fish being breed in captivity so any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated and I would be more than glad to make a log and share any info with everyone.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Maxx]

The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes has about 9 pages on breeding/rearing blennies...but its either fang blennies or the Engineer Blenny/goby...which is really neither a blenny or a goby.

The general consensus on fang blennies hatching is between 7-10 days at 80 degrees. Place an airstone beneath the eggs resting place, (pvc plumbing etc...in your case the unused Korallia) to provide a gentle current. Hatching occurs about an hour or so after lights go out.

The general consensus regarding larval rearing of fang blennies is this:

"Newly hatched larva measure just under 3mm in length and congregate on the surface/sides of the rearing tank and lack any remnants of yolk sack. Rotifers are added at a density of 10-12/mL on the first day of hatching. At day 10, newly hatched artemia can be added to the diet. The larva are approximately 6mm in length at this point and have a well developed feeding mechanism.

Occurance of Metamorphasis is highest by day 25, however, larva will have drastically different growth rates and many will complete metamorphasis between days 15-20. The larger individuals pose a real problem to smaller larva as cannibalism will occur if larvae are not well fed. many slow growing larva will need as long as 40 days to complete metamorphasis. Adult coloration is achieved around day 45."

I realize that your question pertains to bicolor blennies, but this is the only information I have available on hand and it gives you a starting point at least.

I also moved this thread over to Lee's forum in the hopes that he would be able to give more info that might be more helpful.

Nick

 

[NaH2O]

The only additional information I can provide you is by pointing you to the MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invert Breeders Association) website (link to a thread below), and go to the Blenny forum, however, I did not find any threads specifically for the rearing of the bicolor blenny (one person has inquired about it). You will find all kinds of threads showing fantastic pictures of the eggs, larvae, etc. Here is a thread on Escenius midas Breeding Log. This can give you a brief overview of what the thread starter has done, and hopefully give you some ideas for yourself.

Please, please keep us posted on how your rearing attempts go!

 

[zgenius]

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Ok so my rotifers culture is going good, but my blennies threw a curveball at me. They laid eggs last friday on the back top of my koralia, than on tuesday they laid an equal amount of eggs on the back bottem of my koralia and now again today they laid more eggs on the inner side walls too.

So it seems they are laying eggs every 4 days. I was planning on taking the koralia out and putting it in my larve tank but I'm not so sure that is the best thing to do now.

I can see silver eyes on most of the first batch so I'm pretty sure tonight should be hatch night. On the other hand the last batch that hatched were found in the afternoon.

Just when I thought I had it figured out, I get all these different variables thrown my way, which I cant seem to find any other info on.

Also assuming all goes well and they hatch can I just pour in the rotifers water and all or do I have to seive them and just add the rotifer and no water?

Thanks again for any help or oppinions.

Ps I try to get some more pics

 

[NaH2O]

zgenius - the only information I can give you is from the breeders forum I previously linked to. I'm not sure how the folks trying to rear blennies go about it.

Again, this thread can be found from the link (to give credit): Escenius midas breeding, and is in reference to midas blenny breeding, but it might be helpful with your case

The larvae should be manageable with rotifers at a HIGH density (20.mL). Blennies really throw a curveball to the family generalization rule. Some are exceptionally easy while others remain quite difficult.

There was more information on the trials and errors of rearing these little guys. The midas blenny larva shots were amazing.

Look forward to reading more about your trials and tribulations!