Clown Loach Spawn

[star4]

I am so excited

Yesterday morning I saw my group of clown loach (6am) all chasing each other around the tank. I let my dogs out, went to the loo and came back to watch what they were upto.
 
The tank temperature had increased from 26C to 28C because of the hot weather, I did raise the filter outlet to create more surface agitation. Other than that there is no difference in the tank conditions.
 
While watching, two of the group broke away from the others and went to a piece of wood that is on the tank floor right next to the front glass. They both lay on the wood then the male pushed the female onto her side pressing her against the wood with his body and she released eggs, which fell under the bogwood. The pair then swam off and re-joined the group. Unfortunately then the group came swimming towards the wood and started eating the eggs. I put my hand in the tank to shoo them away.
 
I managed to grab my gravel vac and carefully moved the wood and managed to suck up a few eggs, there is 16 eggs now in a separate tank. Unfortunately over night 3 have gone white so I have removed those, but I have 13 left....
 
Waiting, hoping that some hatch....... Camera batteries are on charge just in case, although I should of tried to take a picture or video of the spawning, but it was really quick

 
 
Info: the two that spawned are approx 6", rescue fish so no idea how old they are.

 

[fluttermoth]

Wow....first weather loach (that was yours, wasn't it?), and now clowns; your loaches must love you!

 

[star4]

Yes it was me that had the weather loach, still got them, but more!!! Again this was pure luck that I saw it happen.

 

[the_lock_man]

 
Nice one, Star!

 

[Ninjouzata]

Wow! Hope they hatch. That's great that you got to witness it

 

[star4]

Down to 10 eggs

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Another rare breeding chance, good luck with the remaining 10 eggs!

 

[CoryFever]

How exciting! I remember I purchased a proven pair of clowns off of Aquabid. It wasn't cheap, that's for sure! The loaches died in shipping though

 

[star4]

I failed all the eggs are white and fluffy this morning but at least I know who is a male and female out of the group now, I might (if I get chance) move them to a separate tank when she gets plump again and see if they spawn on their own. The problem is I dont know if it is a group thing that gets the spawning started and just a pair in a tank on their own would most likely just stress them out. Something to ponder over.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Shame it didn't work out this time, but getting them to spawn is a very encouraging sign.

 

[CoryFever]

Good luck on your next spawn! Maybe it will work out next time. I suggest using methylene blue in to prevent fungus from taking the eggs again.

 

[sawickib]

Wow that's awesome, it could just be because it's their first time? Maybe next time will be better.

 

[star4]

I am not actually trying to get them to breed lol, it was just in the right place at the right time to see it happen, just as I was when I saw the weather loach spawning.
 
However, now I know the sudden hot day making the tank temperature rise and seeing them spawn early morning means I (and others) have an idea of what may trigger a spawn so you never know