Cave Basslets are beautiful

I Just found this thread... funny as I picked those guys up!




And last night (After a couple weeks of thinking there was some hanky-panky going on) I filmed this:

YouTube - Cave Basslets (Liopropoma mowabrayi) Spawning

 

So did you pick these up with the intention of them spawning. Do they spawn in captivity like other basslets, Indigo and Dotty backs?

 

I did - I've always wanted to try pelagic spawners (releasing the eggs into the water column). I've known for a couple weeks they have been spawning, I just managed to catch them in the act last night with some night light LEDS.

They aren't at all like other dottybacks or black caps that lay eggs attached to a surface. They will go through meta in about 50-52 days or so, compared to clowns which are about 10.

I'll turn the pumps off tonight and get some eggs this time

 

Pelagic spawner, with a meta phase so far down the line. No wonder they are so pricey. Has anyone successfully raised the fry? You would have to have a microscope to see the larval/planktonic stage. Feeding must be a nightmare. I suppose maybe in a marine aquaculture set up, where you can get some other planktonic life forms for them to eat.

 

They have never been raised through meta as far as I know. One guy has been close (46-48 days), but no pics of any. That is the rub - fairly easy to get to spawn, but the kids are a pain in the arse!

It helps that I've got five aquaculture places within 5 miles of me, and I can collect wild zooplankton everyday if I need to

 

Those are cool, and good luck with raising the babies. Sound like its a challenge.