Conflicting Posts

[QueenBethers]

Hi, I am very new here. I usually just lurk around and read other's questions instead of asking but I came across some conflicting posts.

I have seven dalmation molly fry that are about three weeks old. I didn't know the mother was preg when we bought her and three days later we had babies. I wanted to keep them safe from other's who might eat them so I put them in one of those clear breeder boxes that float in the big tank. They are doing fine in there and growing rapidly and are about 3/4 of an inch long. So, now I am wondering how long do they need to be isolated before reintroducing them into back into the tank. I was reading some of the pinned posts you guys have to prevent us newbees from asking dumb questions and this post [topic="Breeding traps and nets"]http/www.fishforums.net/Breeding-Traps-And-Nets-a-Sub-faq-For-Newbies-t116011.html[/topic] says fry should be 10 mm long, while this post [topic="Livebearers: Breeding and rearing guide."]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=13664[/topic] says about one inch which will take between two and four months, and this post [post="Your First Baby Fish!"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=115318[/post] states it takes about 3 months for baby fish to get big enough to be combined with generic, non-predatory community fish. So, I guess my question is who is right and are my fish ready to be released?

 

[lilfishie]

the best time to let them out is when they are bigger than the mouth of the largest fish, usually a few weeks is good, although most members have seperate fry tanks

 

[theotheragentm]

There is no guaranteed size. Take everything you read and think about it a little bit. Fish keeping is not mechanical. You'll do fine with a mouth to fish comparison, leaning on the safe side.

 

[LilMuppet]

Well you've done a lot more reading than I'd imagine most do before posting!

If at that size they can non longer fit into your biggest fish's mouth then it should be ok, but it also depends on how much of a risk you want to take if you want to release them beforehand. Having a heavily planted tank should help as well because it gives them a good cover to hide in. Fry can disappear for a week or two and then reappear as if by magic.

Good luck with your fry, keep us updated with their progress.

 

[fishkers]

You definatly did do your research congrats! As for the when to release them I think that LilMuppet was correct in saying it depends on the risk you want to take. Fry usually survive in the main tank if they have really good cover so you can probably intoduce them if you wanted to take that risk. Personally I have a little 2.5 gallon tank as a Fry Nursery and I keep them in there for about 2 months, then i release them unless I still think they are in danger.

Goodluck...