I ask because I think this happened last night; I noticed yesterday that the number of eggs in their most recent spawn had dropped in number. Thinking that some had hatched the night before and the rest would hatch tonight, I stayed up to harvest the newly hatched fry. After hours of waiting, I decided to turn off all pumps but one and wake up in a few hours again to check. When I did, I noticed even fewer eggs but still no fry in the water column. I know the parents often eat the fry once they hatch, so I decided to stay up again and see if that was the case (even though the tank was pitch black during that time); however, I saw something much different: the male clown seemed to be picking off the eggs from the rock--presumably eating them. I saw him do it only once or twice, which is why I'm not convinced I just wasn't going crazy at 4 AM.

In the past, the fry had always ended up swimming around in the tank, making for an easy collection, but it looks like the clowns may have realized they make a good snack. Or, my other thought is that maybe the male clown knew they had died for some reason and was performing "cleanup" - I doubt this is the case though because the eggs looked healthy and had been growing at a consistent rate. Does anyone have any experience/input in regards to this?

Also, it's a bummer that I've cultured about 15 gallons of greenwater, now with nothing to feed till the next round that already has a questionable prognosis (my plan is to put in a clay pot or two and hope they lay on it instead of the rock...). If anyone has a clown pair that has laid eggs and would like me to raise them, I have the means necessary to do so. My clowns are Onyx, which is why I really wanted to raise their fry, but at this point I'm becoming far less picky! :)

Thanks,
Kayla

I have a couple of perculas that have eaten/destroyed the eggs before hatching. It seems that the eggs that are removed are dead. I have had clowns for over 20 years and I have never noticed them eating unhatched eggs for fun or dinner.

Now after they hatch, that is a different story. They sometimes abort the process if they sense or know the eggs have died. Just keep at it, not your fault.

This was recently discussed. Maybe you can get some insight here (http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=27420).

Good to see you, btw. Always enjoy your pictures.

If you turn off your pumps while feeding regularly, then cutting it down to wait for the fry could have triggered some type of feeding response from the fish. I have no real input on the situation, just a thought.

I read somewhere, it might even of been here on these forums that they will destroy eggs that are bad. I don't remember if that was species specific or if it was a blanket statement for fish in general.

As stated above, yes the male will eat/clean up the eggs that are dead. That is normal. Just keep trying. It will work out. Patience is the key here.
Good luck.