Environmental recoomendations for breeding Clarkii's

[dakar]

Thanks to Angie, we have a mated pair of Clarkii's, they have been living in our 180 for a few month now, but due to the extreme aggressiveness of the female (she's just plain psycho!) they are being given their own tank to live in, so we can actually work in the big tank without losing chunks of flesh.

Their new home is a 29g tank with 35-40lbs of LR, 10g tank fits perfectly under the stand so that will be converted to a sump and fuge this weekend.

Basically the plan is they will be the only fish in that tank going to add a dozen snails or so (can't count the itty bitty ones in there now as real snails yet) for a clean up crew. As soon as we are able to catch the male we'll move one of the sabae's in as well for them to live in. Once everything is set we'd like to pretty much leave them alone short of feedings.

We've successfulyl bred just about every FW fish there was but this is new territory for us. If they are the only fish in the tank will they tend not to canibalize their young or should they still be separated?

Anything in particular we should consider to help foster and encourage breeding?

[dakar]

bump

[davejnz]

Your clarkii sounds like my tomato clown,she bites me everytime i put my hand in my tank.I have been thinking about giving her and her mate their own tank as well.
As far as breeding,from what i've read,you'll need to setup a smal rearing tank so you'll be able to feed the fry rotifers.I havn't heard of anyone being able to raise them in a display setting although i'm sure there are exceptions.Most breeders encourage them to nest/lay eggs on a piece of tile or pottery so it can easily be removed to a tank to be hatched.A simple airline with a slow bubble count to gently provide circulation around the eggs is all that is needed.You'll need to start feeding the rotifers after the fry have absorbed their yolk sac(about 3 days).After they grow a bit,a small sponge filter can be used for filtration and waterchanges to maintain water quality during the whole process.The whole hatching/raising process can be quite an ordeal but probably worth it if your succesful.