How to set up Pregnancy Tank?
- Thread starter JemZ
- Start date
Also, I have a clear Sterilite bin (pic below) that I could use if you guys think it's safe. According to the Sterilite website all of their products " are made of polypropylene and polyethylene that are safe for food storage" I don't know if this safe for fish although I have kept fish in there overnight before. She'll be in there for longer since she is being harassed by a male swordtail in the tank and I would like to get her somewhere with less stress leading up to the climax of the pregnancy.
If the container is food safe, then it's safe for fish.
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It is preferable not to move pregnant/ gravid fish because you can stress them and even damage the unborn fry. If you have to move gravid females, carefully catch them in a net and then use a plastic container to scoop the female and net up in some tank water. Move her (in the net in the bucket of water) to a new tank and then carefully pour her into the new tank.
If you move the female to a smaller aquarium that would stress her.
If you used completely new water in the new tank it would stress her. If you set up a new tank for her you should fill the new tank with water from her current tank, so the water is exactly the same.
If the new tank does not have any plants in it will stress her. Put some plants in with her. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides/ cornuta) is the best plant for livebearers. It normally grows on the surface but can also be grown in the substrate where it grows into a lovely light green shrub.
If you don't have any live plants then add a heap of artificial plants to provide her with shelter when she goes into labour, and to give the fry somewhere to hide when they are born.
Make sure the new tank has an established filter in it so the water stays clean.
Do not put the female into a tank with males until at least 1 week after she has given birth otherwise the male/s will stress her out.
Try not to move the female for at least 1 week after she has given birth so she can heal up. If you have to move the female after she has given birth, use the method above for moving pregnant females.
Most female platies do not eat their young if the female is well fed and there are plants in the tank, but will eat them when they are confined to a small breeding trap.
------------------
It is preferable not to move pregnant/ gravid fish because you can stress them and even damage the unborn fry. If you have to move gravid females, carefully catch them in a net and then use a plastic container to scoop the female and net up in some tank water. Move her (in the net in the bucket of water) to a new tank and then carefully pour her into the new tank.
If you move the female to a smaller aquarium that would stress her.
If you used completely new water in the new tank it would stress her. If you set up a new tank for her you should fill the new tank with water from her current tank, so the water is exactly the same.
If the new tank does not have any plants in it will stress her. Put some plants in with her. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides/ cornuta) is the best plant for livebearers. It normally grows on the surface but can also be grown in the substrate where it grows into a lovely light green shrub.
If you don't have any live plants then add a heap of artificial plants to provide her with shelter when she goes into labour, and to give the fry somewhere to hide when they are born.
Make sure the new tank has an established filter in it so the water stays clean.
Do not put the female into a tank with males until at least 1 week after she has given birth otherwise the male/s will stress her out.
Try not to move the female for at least 1 week after she has given birth so she can heal up. If you have to move the female after she has given birth, use the method above for moving pregnant females.
Most female platies do not eat their young if the female is well fed and there are plants in the tank, but will eat them when they are confined to a small breeding trap.
Ok, here is everything I got
Gravel Substrate (I attached a pic because I want to make sure it's good to use for her before and during pregnancy as well as her fry once they are born. I use the same type of gravel from the same brand but a different color in my main tank.)
A heater
A filter
A fish-catching net (it's a relief to have this one as I've always used cups to catch fish but they are cumbersome and hard to maneuver with.)
A fake log as decor
And some water conditioner
I'm still working on obtaining the Water Sprite
Is there anything else I need?
Gravel Substrate (I attached a pic because I want to make sure it's good to use for her before and during pregnancy as well as her fry once they are born. I use the same type of gravel from the same brand but a different color in my main tank.)
A heater
A filter
A fish-catching net (it's a relief to have this one as I've always used cups to catch fish but they are cumbersome and hard to maneuver with.)
A fake log as decor
And some water conditioner
I'm still working on obtaining the Water Sprite
Is there anything else I need?
Last edited:
Natural brown gravel or a dark coloured gravel is better than white gravel for fish.
Use an air operated sponge filter for the breeding tank so you don't suck the babies up in a power filter.
Get a bigger net (8-12 inches). Set the big net up in the tank and have one side against the front glass and the bottom of the net on the gravel. Use the smaller net to slowly guide the fish into the big net and then lift that net up to the surface. Put a plastic container under the big net and lift the female out of the main tank and move her to the smaller tank/ container.
Get some plastic plants and weigh them down and have some floating if you can't get water sprite. Have lots of plants.
Cover for the container to stop the female jumping out if she gets startled.
Use an air operated sponge filter for the breeding tank so you don't suck the babies up in a power filter.
Get a bigger net (8-12 inches). Set the big net up in the tank and have one side against the front glass and the bottom of the net on the gravel. Use the smaller net to slowly guide the fish into the big net and then lift that net up to the surface. Put a plastic container under the big net and lift the female out of the main tank and move her to the smaller tank/ container.
Get some plastic plants and weigh them down and have some floating if you can't get water sprite. Have lots of plants.
Cover for the container to stop the female jumping out if she gets startled.
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