Pseudanthias squamipinnis spawning and hatching.

[Luis A M]

Anthias as a group are reported to do poorly in a tank.They feed continuosly in the wild, taking very small prey in the water column,off the reef structure.So very frequent feedings of small food items are advised in captivity,if the fish are going to thrive.
But I purchased three females of the lyre tail Anthias and they adapted well to the normal tank 2-3 times a day feeding schedule.Soon one of them began to show male coloration.Encouraged with these results,I added two more females,making up a nice 1-4 Anthias harem.
I never saw any definite spawning behaviour,only some mild aggressive chasing by the male,which probably helps to keep his mates in the proper gender
But somehow,sometime,eggs are being produced every night.Lots of them!
They look much like most of the pelagic eggs we see;clear spheres,with an oil globule.
Only that they are smaller than other pelagic eggs;diameter is only 600 mics

[Amie]

Luis, this is awesome . Are you planning on raising them? Take pictures of the adults as well, please.

[Luis A M]

Sure Amie,this year I plan to work on pelagic spawners.

[Luis A M]

The eggs develope very fast and by noon I had prolarvae hatched
The oil vacuole is located at the rear first,but then it moves to the middle and later it ends at the front end,as the pictures show:

[Luis A M]

Day 2(1DPH) prolarvae:

[Jake Levi]

Fascinating Luis !

What will you offer them for food?

I am looking for a small rotifer, Colurella adriatica , being tried now for Tangs.

Do you have a mic that 'feeds' to the computer? I am looking at several models now.

I am also getting very interested in Pelagic spawners, the prolarvae feed on somethings, we just need to find out what.

I am looking forward to your next pics.

[Luis A M]

I plan to use naups of Parvocalanus sp.and Apocyclops panamensis.
See: viewtopic.php?f=144&t=5682 My micro-rots look very much like Colurella
Prolarvae get their nutrition from the yolk sac and oil vacuole.They become larvae when their foregut (esophagus) opens and thus are able to take exogenous nutrients.

[Luis A M]

Do you have a mic that 'feeds' to the computer? I am looking at several models now.

No,I just take pics with my old Cybershot.

[Luis A M]

Day 3 (2DPH)and they become larvae
Eyes are getting pigmentation,and the gut is developed,as can be seen in the pics below.
There are three black dots on the upper fin fold and one in the lower fold.With a mag.glass,one sees 5 dots in line,1st being the eyes.TL is 2 mm.
Time to offer some food!

[Luis A M]

Pectoral fins are developed too,which can be seen is a dorsal view:

[Luis A M]

Day 4 (3DPH)

[Walterruben]

Gorgeous!!!
Congratulations, Luis !!!

[Luis A M]

Thanks!But raising pelagic spawners is a long way.. .Only mandarins,with larger eggs,have been raised by hobbyists.
Six days(5DPH) now and I´m facing an NH3 peak.And I don´t see food in their guts.

[Jake Levi]

The first couple of days they are VERY primitive, these later days show remarkable development ! I like the anthias, maybe when I grow up I will try them. Beautiful !

[Luis A M]

A new run,and this time the larvae reached the 7 days (6DPH) mark.
This is the longest I could keep them alive,or any larvae of pelagic spawners,for that matter!

[NMAJames]

Congrats! what got you to 6 dph?

[Crusty]

Congrats

[Luis A M]

Thanks! I got pigmy angels and mandarins survive to day 6 (5DPH).
Now the anthias are in their day 10,(9DPH).

[charlie]

Impressive, Luís. Do you have them in a static system, only with water changes, or do you have some sort of filtration?

[Jake Levi]

Very impressive Luis, looking forward to progress on all of these.

[Luis A M]

I change water as needed to keep NH3 under control.Turbidity is high,Secchi 26 cm,and I can only see one or two larvae when they rise to the surface,under the light.No way to capture one for pics or examination.But I can see they are larger,with a taller profile and large head and eyes.White,with large reddish pectoral fins.

[Luis A M]

This is a side view at 5 DPH.Higher profile and a well defined snout.

[Jake Levi]

Good luck, the pics are awesome.

[Luis A M]

Good luck, the pics are awesome.

Thanks,but I find it very dark .Perhaps I could work on the contrast.

[Jake Levi]

I am sure the pics of the next days will be lighter )

What foods do they have available to them? I would be wanting to offer a full range just due to the genus' penchant for constant feeding on small items. I am thinking that this is the big hurdle to get them beyond.
Somehow to get a dragnet full of fresh off the reef plankton and see what is in there to feed these little guys. I'm preaching to the choir I know, just frustrated. Good luck Luis. Your steady work will bear fruit.