I have 2 fry in a little breeder tank that is hanging off the side of the tank, but one got stuck in the floor of it today and if it happens again they'll have to be put in the tank with the big fish-I can't be checking on them all the time and I don't want one to get stuck in there and die. So anyway if they're in with the other fish (rasboras, but I'm almost positive they're molly fry-they're from my 20g tank) how do I feed them? I'm afraid if I just put food in 3-5 times a day for them the other fish will have it eaten before the little ones have a chance. btw the fry are about 3/8" long from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tailfin.
feeding fry in a community tank
- Thread starter gale
- Start date
ferrikins
Fish Addict
there be ok, just crush some of the flakes up, then they got a chance f picking something small anothe to eat.
I see in your sig line it says breeding traps/nets kill. Do I have the killer type? It has a grid bottom, then another bottom that fits over it. If so I might get it out of there. I just hate to think I paid $11 for nothing though. 
I just hate to see the fry get eaten and right now I don't have a whole lot of plants in my tanks because I can't find any good ones locally and it's a little cold to order them right now (for shipping).
I just hate to see the fry get eaten and right now I don't have a whole lot of plants in my tanks because I can't find any good ones locally and it's a little cold to order them right now (for shipping).
Mine didn't have a grid bottom, only one that goes in the middle to seperate the mother from the fry , then you removed it, it also had an airstone you could attach to a pump so it filtered tank water in.
I think I might try using aquarium sealant and maybe some tulle or organza fabric on the bottom. The only way plastic would stay is if I taped it and I don't think tape will stick.
Too bad I don't have any aquarium sealant. Looks like I'll be going to town tomorrow.
Too bad I don't have any aquarium sealant. Looks like I'll be going to town tomorrow.
I put the solid plastic piece in the bottom and then i use gravel to fill in the holes and the spaces where the fry can escape and get stuck.....use small enough gravel so the fry dont get stuck in that otherwise you are back to square one 
....but that workks for me....the only thing it does is makes it heavy....oh well it works for me
....but that workks for me....the only thing it does is makes it heavy....oh well it works for me 
Polardbear
Fish Addict
You could also put glass marbles on the bottom of the tank to give them some hiding places if you opt to let them back into the main tank. If you pile the marbles up they'll be able to duck between them and the bigger fishes won't be able to get to them. I buy mine in the fake plant section of Walmart (best price I've found). I've also bought them at Michaels (craft store). Get large and small ones in both round and flat style so that when you pile them on top of each other there will be openings for them to get into. I actually think they look quite pretty. But the nice thing about them is they are easy to take out when you don't need them and put back in when you do. And when they're not in the tank you can always use them for floral arrangements.
When feeding, some of the flake will make it to the bottom and they are usually pretty darn good little scavengers.
When feeding, some of the flake will make it to the bottom and they are usually pretty darn good little scavengers.
ferrikins
Fish Addict
I personaly beleave if people seriouysly want to keep fry alife, they should invest in a 5g, as it not just the fact the the traps stress the mother fish to death, when they are birthing, most traps are so small that the fry are stunted in grouth.
I have a litter in my breeding tank, are only 3 weeks old, but they are acherly big another to be sold already, I won't though, they won't leave here till there 8 weeks old.
I think it not anyone falt but the LFS not keeping there sexes apart, I understand why people want to keep these little ones alife. You can always do what I did and use it as a escuss to get another tank. I was only aloud a 6g at fist, that turnd into a 15g, and the 6 was supose to be sold, until my ADF's needed to be moved, once there it stayed and was used as a fry tank, that tank is noe a new 12g devided into 3 section. LOL
OH look I'm rambling lol
I have a litter in my breeding tank, are only 3 weeks old, but they are acherly big another to be sold already, I won't though, they won't leave here till there 8 weeks old.
I think it not anyone falt but the LFS not keeping there sexes apart, I understand why people want to keep these little ones alife. You can always do what I did and use it as a escuss to get another tank. I was only aloud a 6g at fist, that turnd into a 15g, and the 6 was supose to be sold, until my ADF's needed to be moved, once there it stayed and was used as a fry tank, that tank is noe a new 12g devided into 3 section. LOL
OH look I'm rambling lol
BobK
Fishaholic
Problem with breeding traps is stagnant water. There is no circulation and no filtration. The ones with the airstone are better, but sometimes the holes in the trap plug up and don't let water flow freely. When my platies had babies I just moved them to a separate 5 gallon tank. Platies are really bad about eating the fry (at least mine are). I have two adult females and one adult male and I haven't seen any new fry in 4 months. My Sailfin Mollies don't seem to be interested in the fry at all. My female dropped 50+ fry and I don't think I've lost any (at least not that I could see). They also sell tank dividers which might be a good option for you if you don't want to start a new tank. I believe both your tanks are standard sizes that would accept the dividers.
As far as feeding the fry, I've had very good luck with crushed flakes and crushed freeze-dried bloodworms. I see you're going to feed the BBS which is really good as well. Also, the fry eat microorganisms and mollies eat algae as well so they probably would get enough food if they were loose in the community tank, they just wouldn't grow as fast. I've heard that stuff like liquifry can pollute the tank so if you use it do so sparingly. Good luck with the little guys. It's a lot of fun watching them grow up. I just released my 5 platy fry into the community tank last week. They're doing great.
As far as feeding the fry, I've had very good luck with crushed flakes and crushed freeze-dried bloodworms. I see you're going to feed the BBS which is really good as well. Also, the fry eat microorganisms and mollies eat algae as well so they probably would get enough food if they were loose in the community tank, they just wouldn't grow as fast. I've heard that stuff like liquifry can pollute the tank so if you use it do so sparingly. Good luck with the little guys. It's a lot of fun watching them grow up. I just released my 5 platy fry into the community tank last week. They're doing great.
thrdwatchfan
Fish Fanatic
Hello.. I had some Swordtail frys that were born on January 26th and they are all surviving well. I have 10.... 
that I have kept alive... I have been feeding them a little bit of flake food and BBS, 3 times a day. How long do I have to keep feeding them 3 X daily? 
They are growing nicely but not big enough to put back into the community(they are stil soooo cute 
) Thanks for your input
that I have kept alive... I have been feeding them a little bit of flake food and BBS, 3 times a day. How long do I have to keep feeding them 3 X daily? They are growing nicely but not big enough to put back into the community(they are stil soooo cute ) Thanks for your input Similar threads
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