Sterbai Cory Breeding, Rescued From Filter

JSmails · Jun 10, 2011

I did a major clean recently on my external filter and emptied a large amount of liquid gunk into a bucket. when I came to emptying a lot down the sink, at the end I noticed 2 very small fry. I carefully got them out but with no spare tank had to put them straight into the community tank. I have 7 Sterbai Corys and knew they were that species. I really thought they had little chance of surviving, even though they when I discovered them they were nearly big enough not to be eaten. Anyway amazingly 1 has done really well and is now 1/2 adult size. :good:

Its been really great watching him grow from being tiny and little darts out for food from his hiding spot to now where he is fully confident and flying around the tank.

My question now is when I come to clean the filter again I may well find fish in there again so what shall I do?

I suppose the filter is actually an area where catfish could thrive so Im expecting if I'm more careful next time I may find more. I dont really have space for another large tank .

Caprichoso · Jun 10, 2011

You just need a small fry tank. It could be 5 gallons and would work fine. When the fry get big enough, you can just transfer them to your main tank. As long as they are about 1 inch long before you add them back, they shouldn't get bothered by any other fish.

Congrats on the cory babies!

JSmails · Jun 10, 2011

Caprichoso said:
You just need a small fry tank. It could be 5 gallons and would work fine. When the fry get big enough, you can just transfer them to your main tank. As long as they are about 1 inch long before you add them back, they shouldn't get bothered by any other fish.

Congrats on the cory babies!

Thanks Caprichoso. I could maybe squeeze a tank that size in somewhere. Whats the best way to set up a fry tank, ie what to put in and cycling?

Caprichoso · Jun 10, 2011

Squeeze some of the debris from your mature filter sponge on to the new filter media to "seed" the media with bacteria. If you can spare some plant cuttings or an ornament, that all helps to get the bacteria growing in the new tank. After that, just monitor the water with a test kit to make sure you don't have any ammonia. The thing with fry is to make sure the water is clean, so you have to do daily water changes. As far as the %, I would go for 50% daily. Someone may have a different suggestion for you. You don't want to have substrate on the bottom but you could put a pice of java moss attached to a flat rock. No filter except a sponge filter as it's gentle on the fry and collects little microorganisms that they can feed off of. Don't over feed and they will need fry food. I'm sure you'll get some other suggestions to help you out. I just have to step out for a bit so when I think of more info, I'll let you know.

Can anyone else help out?

eaglesaquarium · Jun 10, 2011

I second the sponge filter running off an air pump as the filter. I also second the moss or plantings - fry will be able to feed off the plants as well as whatever else you feed them. It will also make them more comfortable because they will have shelter to hide in.