Species: Fridmani "Orchid" Dottyback - Pseudochromis fridmani

Size of brood stock: Three juveniles about 2"

Age of Pair: Unknown, I aquired the first at MACNA from ORA on 9/7/2008. The newer two were also from ORA via Keen's Reef on 10/15/2008. All three appear to be about the same size and age, and likely less than one year of age.

Social structure: They will be housed in a 25G breeder tank. Sparsely decorated with Live Rock and some PVC for caves and breeding. The two newest will be introduced first, followed 24 hours later by the older individual. The two newest are currently in the QT system for two weeks.

Previous spawnings and general background information:
No previous spawning records. These three individuals are from ORA stock so the have been Captive breed and raised.

Current Spawning information:
The trio will be fed extensively on Rod's fish food, Enriched Live Brine, Frozen PE Mysis and Ocean Nutrition Formula One Flake leading up to the pairing and eventual spawning.

Preparation:
Started cultures of "L" strain rotifers and Phyto. The fry rearing tank will be a circular plastic tub with a center bulkhead and return.

Literature and reference material:
The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes by Matthew L. Wittenrich
Breeding the Orchid Dottyback, An Aquarist's Journal by Matin A. Moe, Jr.

Woohoo! Tim got in two ORA Orchid Dottybacks today so I can start my attempts at pairing up and breeding these beautiful fish. The two new ones will be in my QT tank for about two weeks and then I will introduce them in to the breeding tank and add the third one. Hopefully I'll have some pairing up and can look forward to trying to raise some.
BZ

Hope you are succesful in breeding them will look foward to your results

Another one! YAY! Man you are too cool!

Hey I got a clownfish pair that was laying eggs in purplegorilla's tank and I would like them to start laying eggs in my tank. What do you suggest feeding them to help them to start laying eggs again?

They most likely will start again once they get more secure in the tank. How long have they been in the tank? I just try and vary the diet for my fish and feed more often (three or four times a day if possible, but not a lot of food). I like to give them some live food too (adult brine shrimp). If you are patient, I am sure that they will start again. what other fish are in the tank with them?

They have been in the tank for 1 and 1/2 months. I have a fire fish gobey in with them. They host a rbta and I will soon be adding a golden dwarf moray eel. They may not start breeding for a long time after adding the eel just because they have to get used to the eel.

Orchid Dottyback update: Nothing happening!

It's been two months since I tried to pair up the Orchids I got from ORA and so far I am not seeing any signs of courtship. I believe that the larger one has become dominant and the slightly smaller one is showing signs of losing some battles. It's not too hurt but it does look a bit battered. I've had these two in the 25G breeder tank with my pair of adult Bangaii Cardinals. I'll give them another month and if they are still not mated, maybe look for a much smaller female. The third one of the trio I took out some time ago because it was about the same size as the larger male. I'll keep you all posted.
Bob

Think I need to seperate this pair. They are both looking pretty beat up and it doesn't look they are pairing up at all. I am worried that they will kill each other. They both are eating, which is good but neither appears to be dominate. Any insight as to the best approach?
Bob

Well, i had bad news. I lost the male Orchid Dottyback. The female is starting show eggs so I am going to try and catch the male in my 210G and move him in to the brood tank with the female. Wish me luck!

BZ

yeah man good luck with that....I know the one I have in my 140 is a quick elusive little one.

almost got him a few mins ago but i was too slow on the fish line! Next time!!!!

Z

So, I gave up on trying to catch the ODB in my 210! Too smart for me. I opted to go down to Tim's and buy a new one. It was much easier. I'll be introducing the new fish to the female later today. Hopefully, they will pair up. I'll be using Seedless Reefer's method for introducing new fish; Mrs Orchid Dottyback, this is Mr Orchid Dottyback, pleased to meet you. Now, please do not kill each other. :D

Bob

LOL great way to put it Bob, good luck as always.

After a couple of days, the female seems to be leaving the male alone. There is still some chasing but it's much less now. The female's abdomen is starting to really become swollen now, so I am hoping that she accepts the male and that they use the spawning PVC cave soon!

good luck. hope they really like eachother:thumbs:

Sheryle

Sheryle - pm sent.

Bob,

A few days ago I noticed some unusual behavior in my orchid dottybacks. One of them began to get near the other and vibrate its body, almost like a siezure. It would then head back to the other side of the tank, before repeating this action. Eventally, the other one followed the "vibrator" into a hole in a rock. They stayed there for over an hour. Was this mating or spawning?

Thanks,

John

PS: I hope I never have to catch one of these!

Bob,

A few days ago I noticed some unusual behavior in my orchid dottybacks. One of them began to get near the other and vibrate its body, almost like a siezure. It would then head back to the other side of the tank, before repeating this action. Eventally, the other one followed the "vibrator" into a hole in a rock. They stayed there for over an hour. Was this mating or spawning?

Thanks,

John

PS: I hope I never have to catch one of these!

Send them over here! I'm still trying to get a spawn. It certainly sounds like they spawned. You can try puting in a small PVC cave made from a length of about 3" of 3/4 or 1" pvc, capped on both ends with a 5/8" hole drilled in one of the caps. If they use it, then there will be a mass of eggs that the male tends. Once they start spawning, they will continue.

bob

Aw i hope you get some babies soon!

It looks like the new male has paired up with the female. The two interact much more than the previous pairing and the female looks to be getting nice and ripe. Hopefully there will be some spawning in the near future.