More Baby Fishes

barb-e · Jan 2, 2011

A few weeks ago, I discovered that my White Cloud Mountain Minnows (there are 7 of them in a 10 gallon) had babies. At the time there were three babies. I bought a little breeder net and placed the baby fish inside so they could still be in the same tank but I could keep an eye on them, make sure they weren't eaten and feed them special baby fish food. Well, today I was going to finally release them back into the tank (they've grown a lot) but I was surprised to see that there was another supper tiny baby fish swimming inside the breeder net with them and then I looked over and saw another tiny baby swimming outsider of the net. I don't know what to do. Should I just release the babies in the net back into the tank and let them do their own thing. I have no clue how many more babies will pop up and unfortunately, I won't be able to keep an eye out for them because I leave to go back to school in two days. Does anyone have advices for me (and maybe how to stop my fish from having all of these babies??)?

fluttermoth · Jan 2, 2011

I don't think you'll be able to stop your fish breeding, unless you separate the sexes into different tanks.

I'd just let the fry lose in the main tank to take their chances, especially if you're not going to be there. Do you have plenty of live plants in the tank? If you do, the fry will be able to find enough food and be able to hide from the other fish in the plants. If you don't, then buy a good bunch of a fine leafed plant like Elodea or Cabomba to put in there before you go away

barb-e · Jan 2, 2011

I only have artificial plants in my tank. If I buy more artificial plants would that help, at least to give them a place to hide? Also I was wondering, if all or even half of the fry survive, will my tank be able to handle that many fish? It's a ten gallon, there are 7 adults, three large fry and 6 small fry.

Thanks.

fluttermoth · Jan 2, 2011

Well...
Actually, I wouldn't add any more artificial plants; you probably have enough, seeing as you're having fry survive in there already. Unfortunately you will end up overstocked fairly rapidly if they keep breeding and not eating the eggs or fry :crazy:

OTIS · Jan 2, 2011

fluttermoth said:
Well...
Actually, I wouldn't add any more artificial plants; you probably have enough, seeing as you're having fry survive in there already. Unfortunately you will end up overstocked fairly rapidly if they keep breeding and not eating the eggs or fry

Had to get rid of a dolmation molly due to this, they just love going at it.

-OTIS