Pregnant Marigold Swordtail

[theotheragentm]

Doing frequent water changes is going to keep your water in good condition for your fish. I wouldn't worry about Liquifry. Flakes will be fine. It's not as high in fat and protein content, so your fry may not grow as fast as on flakes, but that's not really a concern. Crushed up flakes are good. I'd say after a couple weeks they can handle almost full sized flakes. They may have to absorb a bit of water to soften up, but they will do fine. Good luck.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Yeah, I've been feeding them these crushed up flakes. You know the trial packet of food you get when you buy an aquarium? Well mine kinda got all mashed up and the flakes were totally destroyed. I saved them for when I had fry. Its just perfect!

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Well both little guys are doing well.One has been eating and growing but the other one isn't really eating. It always hangs by the side of the net. Do you think something's wrong?

 

[theotheragentm]

Some fry grow much faster than others. It's probably nothing to worry about.

Put extra food in the net. It will sink the bottom, allowing the other fry to get to it in case it's a situation where the bigger fish is going to outcompete the smaller for food. Adult fish can suck the food through the net from the bottom once it's softened up a bit, so there's not a huge worry about extra food in the net. Other wise you can just remove it yourself later.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

It seems to be a bully situation now. The big one chases the little one sometimes. I put in PLENTY of food but he still gets chased away from it. Sometimes I have to fill a spoon with water, put him in it and put some flakes in the spoon for him. Hopefully this will get better.

Edit: Remember how you said yarn is good for hiding but falls apart too easily? I found a good solution for that. If you tske lots of yarn and braid it it will make it stronger but still good for hiding if bunched together.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

When will I be able to put them in the main tank? They are both about 1/4 of an inch right now. Half an inch maybe? Or 1"

 

[theotheragentm]

I would wait until 1" as you'd be surprised what the larger fish can fit in their mouths.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Okay. I noticed that my platys are the monster fry eaters! They chase them around, trap em in a corner and snatch it up! So sad when you witness it. The swordtail mom and dad actually leave them alone, I was quite surprised by that. Thanks for all of your help. The bigger one still bullies the other one around for food though. It's getting a little better though.

 

[theotheragentm]

There are always runt fry. I have a batch of nine fry right now and two of them seem not to be growing nearly as fast. If you leave them together, they'll both grow up okay.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Okay, I still haven't switched them over to the other tank yet as the temp. Hasn't stablized yet. It's been set up for about 5 days now. Hopefully it will settle soon.

 

[theotheragentm]

Okay, I still haven't switched them over to the other tank yet as the temp. Hasn't stablized yet. It's been set up for about 5 days now. Hopefully it will settle soon.

Your water temperature hasn't stabilized after five days? That's a lot of time. That's confusing to me. Maybe your heater isn't large enough?

 

[mnbyiuopre]

The heater is the right size. It's been really confusing to me too. I think it might have to do with the weather we're having over here on the east coast.

 

[theotheragentm]

Your house must be freezing too that means. Man, that's rough. If it drops below 60 F in my house I complain.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

My house is actually relatively nice right now. I think I've found the problem. Air is coming in the bottom of a door and is making the water cool. For the winter I think I have to put the heater around 83F to get around 75F!