egg-laden clown

[greenbaron]

I have never seen this before, but then again, until this summer I don't think I've ever had my tank in such good condition either... one of my clowns has responded by loading up on eggs- she looks huge (compared to what she was, that is) and her vent is somewhat enlarged. I'll keep trying to get a picture but it ain't easy! Anyway, what are the ramifications of this? I doubt she will ever lay them, it's a nice tank but it's not that nice! So what happens, she'll just reabsorb them? Is this harmful to the fish (not that I can do anything about it, but I can at least worry some more if so)?

[Ashleigh]

Congrats, looking foward to see pics

I have had gravid almorhae, striata and pangio and each time after a week-few weeks they are back down to size. Im not sure if they absorb after a while (I assume this is most likely option), or they just release after a while and are just eaten by other tank mates. I have been meaning to move my striata to a tank of their own to really give this a go, but right now I don't have the time.

Durring these times however I increase water changes and replace with cooler water and also add in some extra amond leaves to try and stimulate them to release-they get to the stage were they look dreadfully uncomfortable and I really do feel sorry for them.

What may seem like an 'ok' tank to you, may be perfect for them-I hate some of my tanks but the fish seem dam happy so Im not bothered

Has the behaviour of the other clowns changed toward this individual? What sort of size is she and is she the alpha of your group? I would try a few extra cooler water changes and see what happens... you never know



Ashleigh

[greenbaron]

She's the alpha- I'd say she acts a bit more bossy and b*$&#y around the other 2 lately... she'll get in a twit and start popping at them every once and awhile, like she's just feeling pissy about something. (actually really entertaining to watch And she definitely hogs the food, and they let her. I've said this on there before, but I only have 3 because they are all that's left of a group of 7 that I've had since the mid-80's. I have not added any because I now know that my 75gal is inadequate for their species' needs... so that's why I have only 3... I'm pretty sure at least 1 of the 3 is a male... the other I think could be a subordinate female, but I'm not sure...
Temp runs ~ 81.3F, I'm not too sure how I feel about cooling it off?

[chefkeith]

It's good to hear the water conditions are improving. Many of my female clowns look like they are ready to release eggs also.

Ashleigh idea's of cooling the water does help. I think one of my females released some eggs a few months ago. This was after a 24 hour continuous water change at a rate of about 8 gallons per hour. About 200 gallons of water were changed on my 350 gallon system. The water temperature dropped about 4F degrees because I forgot that my heaters were unplugged. There was also a huge atmospheric pressure drop because the remnants of a hurricane was passing through.

I hope to repeat these conditions again in the near future. I'll have my camera ready next time.