Lots of Babies.........

[skimpy]

Hi, I'm new to all this and I am finding the breeding stuff really confusing.

I keep reading that Guppy's and Molly's (both of which I want) have lots of babies.

What I do not understand is what to do with the babies.

My tank is 18 gallons and will only hold so many fish, so if i have say 2 guppies that give birth to 30 fry each thats 60 fry. Even if only 1/2 survived I would have too many fish for my tank. Then they mate again and yet more fry. etc.etc.

What does everyone else do? Do you supply your lfs or get hundreds of fish tanks

Sorry i am sure this is a really dumb question, but i need to know )

 

[plysha]

I know what you mean I only have a 10g with alot of fish in it right now (trying to get another tank) I got a Fish tank divider and put the females on one side and the males on the other. I don't have room for that many babies. I'm giving some to friends lol and my niece... or try selling them in the paper... or find a fish store that will buy some from you...

hope this helps
Erin

 

[fishrock]

thats what i plan to do also.my son want to keep them all and only give a few away to some of his freinds.im going to see if i can find a lfs to take some off my hands.

 

[skimpy]

I suppose it would be worth checking with my lfs then before i get to the position of fry in my tank.

I don't have any 'fish keeping' friends ) other of course than all you at TFF

Thanks any other suggestions still welcome

p.s. how long are guppies pregnant for?? and how long are Molly's pregnant for??

 

[Xavier]

my motto for the tank is "survival of the fittest". those that make it threw to adulthood deserve it. those that arent, are food, and a good source of protein for the adults, healthy and strong. and since fish die all time those babies that made it replace the ones that died. works for me 8)

 

[a_ellis]

if they're fancy guppies i'd talk to your lfs and see if they'd be willing to pay you for them, i think the usual is 30%of what they sell for at the store. you could also make your "trade" them in for store credit at the lfs (to help aid in our expensive habits).
if no luck there, you could make some fliers and post them around locally (especially if they're fancy) that you have fish for sale at say $2.00 a piece. that's generally cheaper than what you'd pay at a fish store.
i'm in college and am planning on putting some fliers up there when my fry are ready. a few dollars here and there will help some
good luck,
angela

 

[snowyangel]

I supply one fish store with grown up guppies and I also was selling them privately to regular ppl as well. To prevent further breeding, have an all male and then an all female tank. I'm doing that now, then when i want to breed them again, I have a special "love shack" setup.

 

[skimpy]

my motto for the tank is "survival of the fittest". those that make it threw to adulthood deserve it. those that arent, are food, and a good source of protein for the adults, healthy and strong. and since fish die all time those babies that made it replace the ones that died. works for me

Thanks for your answer. I believe that I would like to make my tank as natural as possible and as near to nature as possible. Although I do not like the idea of fish being eaten i realise that they give birth to SO MANY because its natures way of providing food naturally. However because I've read so many bits of TFF about nursery tanks and fry nets etc. etc. I was beginning to think that mayby I am cruel and that I should try to save everyone.

Are there more of you who believe in "survival of the fittest"??

 

[kell]

i think that survival of the fittest is fair enough. when my guppy had fry i wasnt there so i had no choice on the matter so now i have 1 fry in a net and im guessing that it will be a strong one because it survived in a small tank for 3 days.

 

[snowyangel]

I believe in survival of the fittest if you give them a chance. If you put a fry in a bare tank with predator fish, thats not survival. But if you give it some place to run to like plants, that would be more realistic and then I would believe in the statement.

 

[skimpy]

Thanks Guys

Appreciate your comments

 

[canarsie11]

my motto for the tank is "survival of the fittest". those that make it threw to adulthood deserve it. those that arent, are food, and a good source of protein for the adults, healthy and strong. and since fish die all time those babies that made it replace the ones that died. works for me 8)

That is always my motto.

Whenever I say ""survival of the fittest" my girlfriend gets so pissed. Thats why I always say it

 

[Xavier]

my motto for the tank is "survival of the fittest". those that make it threw to adulthood deserve it. those that arent, are food, and a good source of protein for the adults, healthy and strong. and since fish die all time those babies that made it replace the ones that died. works for me 8)

That is always my motto.

Whenever I say ""survival of the fittest" my girlfriend gets so pissed. Thats why I always say it