Regal Blue Tang can spawn successfully at home

It seems that breeding news comes in spurts. While the vast majority of marine fish have never been spawned in captivity, with even a smaller fraction being reared, it is undeniable that the early 21st Century is proving to be the next rennaisance in tropical marine aquaculture.

With news of Regal Tangs possibly being reared in Taiwan by a governmental organization, Frank Baensch’s success at Reef Culture Technologies breeding the Crosshatch Triggerfish, Todd Gardner’s Reef Basslet success at the Long Island Aquarium, and the collaborative efforts via Rising Tide producing a near win with breeding the Schooling Bannerfish immediately followed up by the successful first captive-bred Koran Angelfish, one might think that breeding breakthroughs are only happening on the commercial and institutional level this year.

Regal Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, broodstock - courtesy CaptCrash — Regal Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, broodstock at left and center – courtesy CaptCrash

And then you stumble across Darren Nancarrow (CaptCrash), a hobbyist who manages to spawn, incubate and hatch the Regal Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, using nothing other than standard hobby equipment. But the most important part – he doesn’t have the 20,000 gallon reef tank of Joe Yaiullo, no sir. His broodstock reside in a community reef tank of approximately 175 gallons (roughly 70″ x 24″ x 24″). And even more surprising, the pair of fish was only together for about 18 months before he had his first reported spawning in May of 2011. Only now has CaptCrash made himself known via his breeding journal on the Marine Breeding Initiative (MBI) website, and the early egg and prolarval photographs being shown are simply amazing.

Paracanthrus hepatus eggs showing clear larval development – courtesy CaptCrash

Paracanthrus hepatus eggs, 30 minutes post spawning – courtesy CaptCrash

Paracanthrus hepatus prolarvae, 1 day post hatch (3 days post spawn) – courtesy CaptCrash

Paracanthrus hepatus prolarvae, approximately 52 hours post spawn - courtesy CaptCrash — Paracanthrus hepatus prolarvae, approximately 52 hours post spawn – courtesy CaptCrash

Larval Paracanthurus hepatus at almost 5 days post spawn - courtesy CaptCrash — Larval Paracanthurus hepatus at almost 5 days post spawn (so almost 3 days post hatch) – courtesy CaptCrash

Larval Paracanthurus hepatus at 5 days post spawn - courtesy CaptCrash — Larval Paracanthurus hepatus at 5 days post spawn – courtesy CaptCrash

Even if he makes it no further, let this be a lesson that marine breeding is not only the domain of commercial entities and large institutions – real progress and discoveries are made every day by the hobbyist. Even more important is the revelation that these fish produced viable, fertilized eggs in a tank that was only 24 inches deep – yet another example that is suggestive that perceived insufficient tank height may not necessarily cause fertility problems for pelagic spawning fishes.

The roughly 175 gallon FOWLR tank that holds spawning Blue Hep Tangs! Courtesy CaptCrash — The roughly 175 gallon mainly FOWLR tank that holds spawning Blue Hep Tangs. This proves you don’t need a swimming pool to spawn Paracanthurus hepatus! Courtesy CaptCrash

Paracanthurus hepatus broodstock pair - the male in the foreground, female behind. Courtesy CaptCrash — Paracanthurus hepatus broodstock pair – the male in the foreground, female behind. Courtesy CaptCrash

Be sure to follow CaptCrash’s Regal Blue Tang breeding journal on the MBI – with a bit of luck and perserverance maybe he could be the first to rear a tang at home! We wish him the absolute best luck should he try, and if he succeeds, you can be sure you’ll hear about it here on Reef Builders.

Matt Pedersen

Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.