Reproduction of the Amphiprion ocellaris clownfish vs Amphiprion

clarkii clownfish

By Amelia Coletti and Kelly Peterson

Focus of Research

• Reproduction cycle of the Amphiprion ocellaris clownfish vs. Amphiprion clarkii clownfish

Tank 90 mated pairT

Tank C2 mated pair

Introduction

Background of the anemonefishes

-Clownfishes by Joyce Wilkerson, 2001

-Clownfishes by Richard Stratton, 2000

-Scott Michael, Clownfish Breeding, 2012

Tank 90 mated pair

Tank C2 mated pair

Introduction

Research Questions1. Does the type of lighting affect the reproduction of clownfish? (moonlights encourage

spawning.)

2. Are the clownfish more likely to lay their eggs on a surface covered in algae, like the rock in the aquarium, or a clean surface like a tile?

3. Do the Amphiprion Clarkii breed less or more than the Amphiprion ocellaris?

4. Do environmental factors like water temperatures, water currents, pH, and lighting have an affect on the hatching of the clownfish eggs? (which would take place in a separate tank)

5. Does the Amphiprion ocellaris have different reproductive behaviors then the Amphiprion Clarkii? ex( male cleaning the rock, tattered fins on the female from the male nipping at her)

Introduction

Hypothesis:

The Amphiprion ocellaris clownfish breeds more often than the Amphiprion clarkii clownfish due to the effects of the addition of a flat and clean surface to spawn on, and the day and lunar lighting in tank 90 than in tank C2.

Methods- tank 90

1. Amphiprion ocellaris clownfish

2. Tile for the clownfish to lay eggs on

3. Moonlighting / lunar lighting

4. Hydrometer, thermometer, pH test kit

5. Movement of Powerheads

6. Mirror type tool to view the back of the rock

TIle addition

Lunar lighting

Methods- Tank C2

1. Amphiprion clarkii

2. Fake anemone

3. Mirror type tool to view the back of the rock

4.Hydrometer, thermometer, pH test kit

Artificial anemone

Xenia and Clarkii

Methods- Data Collection

-Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, and Fri : Daily observations in tank 90.

-Tuesday, and Thursday: Observations were taken on the C2 tank.

Data collection in tank 90

-Behavior changes

-Location of the male and the female

-Conditions within the tank

-Algae Growth

-Reproduction behavior before the addition of lunar lighting / after

Data collection in Tank C2

-Effects of artificial anemone

-Behavior of male and female clarkii

-Location of mated pair within the tank

-Algae growth

-Used mirror to see behind the rocks

Results

Research Questions1. Does the type of lighting affect the reproduction of A.clarkii and A.ocellaris?

(moonlights encourage spawning.)

2. Are the A.ocellaris and the A.clarkii more likely to lay their eggs on a surface covered in algae, like the rock in the aquarium, or a clean surface like a tile?

3. Do environmental factors like water temperatures, water currents, pH, and lighting have an affect on the hatching of the clownfish eggs? (which would take place in a separate tank)

4. Do the Amphiprion clarkii breed less or more than the Amphiprion ocellaris?

5. Does the Amphiprion ocellaris have different reproductive behaviors then the Amphiprion Clarkii?

Result Tank 90

1st stage of larvae reproduction

2nd stage of larvae reproduction

3rd part of larvae reproduction

4th stage of larvae reproductionThe Scar

Result Tank 90

- Anemone

Anemone protecting eggs

Results tank 90

Representation of data

Month Number of Days since last laid eggs

12/20 zero (that we know of)

2/21 63 days

3/22 29 days

4/17 26 days

Note: Turned on lunar lighting on 2/28

Reproduction Rate:

Data Chart for tank 90

Data for tank 90

-4 days of being orange

-6 days dark gray but turning silver

-1 day- completely silver- hatch that night

March videos: March videos

Results in tank C2

-Artificial anemone effects:

-Xenia

-No signs of reproduction

Algae bloom in tank Xenia reacts to artificial anemone

Discussion: Reflection of Hypothesis

Support or Reject?

The Amphiprion ocellaris clownfish breeds more often than the Amphiprion clarkii clownfish due to the effects of the addition of a flat and clean surface to spawn on, and the day and lunar lighting in tank 90 than in tank C2.

Challenges to research project

Tank90-Could not observe tank 24/7

-Presence of numerous organisms

-Could not save any eggs

Tank C2-Hardly any changes in behavior

-Set up of tank

-Lack of organisms

-Algae blooms

-No lunar lighting in tank

How can we make this research more complete? /Future directions

-Be present at night

-Have the eggs easy to remove

-Put mated pair in a secluded tank, to decrease threat

-Put lunar lighting system on C2 rack

-Put an anemone in tank c2

Application/ Value of results

-Lunar lighting has a major impact in the reproduction cycle

-The presence of an anemone provides protection for eggs and mated pair, increasing reproduction

Bibliography

1. "Aquarium Fish: Reproduction and rearing of ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion

ocellaris) in captivity." advanced aquarist. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2012.

<__http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/2/fish>.__

2. Breeding Clownfish. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

<__http://www.breedclownfish.com/>.__

3. Clownfishes and Sea Anemones. N.p.: Barron's, 1998. Print.

Hoff, Frank H. Conditioning, Spawning, and Rearing of Fish with Emphasis on Marine Clownfish. 3rd ed. Dade City: Florida Aqua Farms, 2009. Print.

4 Kurtz, Jeff. Clownfishes and Other Damselfishes. Neptune City: TFH, 2010. Print.

5.Michael, Scott W., ed. Clownfish Breeding. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

<http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/species-info/clownfish/

breeding-clownfish-2.aspx>.

6. "Ocellaris Clownfish." The Home Aquarium. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

<tp://www.thehomeaquarium.com/ocellaris-clownfish/>.

7. Stratton, Richard F. Clownfishes N.p: 2000 Print

8. Wilkerson, Joyce D. Clownfishes. Neptune City: T.F.H., 2001. Print.