Babies, Help!

[boxerbeth]

I got up this morning and there are loads of babies swimming around in the tank. I think it was one of the balloon molly's which had them, but we bought two females about 3 weeks ago Some of the babies have been eaten so I've put food in to stop the other fish being so interested. There's about 10 babies left in the tank and they're all hiding. What do I do?? And how long will they take to grow??

 

[stiffler69]

I got up this morning and there are loads of babies swimming around in the tank. I think it was one of the balloon molly's which had them, but we bought two females about 3 weeks ago Some of the babies have been eaten so I've put food in to stop the other fish being so interested. There's about 10 babies left in the tank and they're all hiding. What do I do?? And how long will they take to grow??

If you want them to survive your doing to need to purchase a breeding net/trap from your local fish store if, however if there is plenty of planting for them to hide in then just see how they do on their and hiding in the tank

 

[boxerbeth]

I have floated a jam jar in the tank for the time and but them into there as I can't get to the pet shop now until boxing day. There are a few (about 4/5) still in the main tank and the other fish seem to be bored of them now. Found out when I moved one of the plants there were acually about 25 still alive in the tank.

How long will it take until they grow bigger, at the moment they're about 1cm long?

 

[stiffler69]

I have floated a jam jar in the tank for the time and but them into there as I can't get to the pet shop now until boxing day. There are a few (about 4/5) still in the main tank and the other fish seem to be bored of them now. Found out when I moved one of the plants there were acually about 25 still alive in the tank.

How long will it take until they grow bigger, at the moment they're about 1cm long?

2-3 weeks until they become big enough not to be bothered by the adult fish, but this all depends on how much food they get too they may not be able to get to the food because of the adults that's why its often better to have them confined to a net trap for the first week so they can build up strangth and size

 

[boxerbeth]

The ones in the jam jar are nibbling on a pellet which we put in there. Will do a water change in the jam jar tonight then again tomorrow night and get a net on wednesday. How can I change the water in the jar without having to re-catch all the babies again?!!

 

[Little-Fizz]

The ones in the jam jar are nibbling on a pellet which we put in there. Will do a water change in the jam jar tonight then again tomorrow night and get a net on wednesday. How can I change the water in the jar without having to re-catch all the babies again?!!

Lol I'm slightly confused. How are you 'floating' a jam jar in there? As in there is a lid on it? I wouldn't get a breeding trap if you have that many fry. It can stunt their growth and cause stress. I would spend the extra 30 bucks (Probably less on boxing day ) and buy a 5 or 10 gallon tank if your planning on raising the fry. I would also invest in fry food... Umm I'm not to sure how good of an idea it is so keep them in the jar for too long, as there is no filtration in it. Personaly I would pour half the water out and put more tank water in the jar to preform a water change.

 

[boxerbeth]

I've filled the jam jar half with water from the tank and left the lid off so the top of the jar is above the water level so no bigger fish can get to them. The ones in the tank are still alive though and seem to be fine. I've already changed half the water in the jar and they seem to be fine.

 

[stiffler69]

I've filled the jam jar half with water from the tank and left the lid off so the top of the jar is above the water level so no bigger fish can get to them. The ones in the tank are still alive though and seem to be fine. I've already changed half the water in the jar and they seem to be fine.

If you have a margarine tub clean it out well and put some pin holes in it this would make for a much mor effective make shift breeding trap as stated the jam jar will have no circulation in it so it wont be healthy for the little guys

 

[boxerbeth]

Should have one by tomorrow so will do that tomorrow. Will they be ok until then as long as I do regular water changes? I'm not keeping these once they grow up (possible one but no more) so don't see the point in buying a whole new tank and stuff.

 

[shang hi]

okay the most livebeares cann store sperm for up to 7 months meaning you can have 7 more sets of babies even with no males in the tank. hope they all get through it other wise it wont be much of an xmas for them

c'ya, shang hi

 

[boxerbeth]

I don't want any more! Can't you give them some medication or something to stop it?!!?

Here's a pic of them... are they the balloon mollies (I'm guessing that they are!)

 

[shang hi]

not realy, you could just hope none more are born as my femal platy had fry (all sadly died) and has a male but never has fry anymore (the male just can make em like he used to) but she may reject the sperm and no babies will become, its all up to her.
have a floating breading trap ready so it you think one if going to give birth you can stop them from entering the main tank and can give them away if you want to.
i dont think theres any birth control for fish out their but you never know...

 

[Little-Fizz]

Seriously... Breeding traps are bad news. Spend a little extra cash and get a ten gallon. A kit is really cheap and its boxing day in like two days... A breeding trap with cause stress and stunt their growth with that many fry. And plan on having many more fry. Your molly will drop a batch of maybe 30 for the next few months. If you don't want them just leave them in the main tank and let nature take it's course.

 

[boxerbeth]

I was thinking of leaving them seperate (now in plastic salad tub with holes in it) for a week or so just until they're a little bit bigger so have a better chance and then letting them back into the main tank. Would that be ok for them? Maidenhead aquatics said when we bought the balloon mollies they may be pregnant and we can always take the babies in there.

 

[shang hi]

i would take them up on their offer if you dont want the babies. but dont transport them whilst they are young as the trip might kill them. when they are about 1" in size or 1-2 months old they are about old enough but if you can leave it as long as posable, then just do the reverse to buying a fish. remove it, bagthem in 1/3 water and 2/3 air in a sealed bag, cover the bag in a paper bag to keep heat in but also reduce stress. then hand them over to the shop.
The breading trap was only because some people dont want to set up a second tank even if it is only 10gallons. me myself would happily set up a third tank (fourth if you count the hospital tank) for fry if i had continuous breading of fish.