Swordtail Fry Advice

[Stoty]

i turned on my light this morning and found swordtail fry. so did all of the other fish, and i only managed to save 2 of them. I have them separated in my 20 gallon tank with one of those dividers. I don't have another tank to put these guys in. i'd rather not keep my tank divided either because i am about to get some more corydora and they could use the room. can i keep them in a bowl of water and do small water changes every day at room temp? I would like for these little guys to survive because i never bread anything before and i know this is not the first time this is going to happen. i am feeding them crumbled flakes. that should be good right?

any help would be great! thanks!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would say to go out and buy some nursery plants (java moss, for example). The swordtail will probably drop again in 6-8 weeks. The plants will provide natural cover for the fry and you can let nature take its course. The reality is that most fry don't survive in nature. Secondly, if they all survive, you will soon be overrun with fry, soon to be full grown fish. Other than that, you will need to invest in another tank. The fry will need a heater and filter. They won't survive with just water changes and room temperature.

 

[wilsonefc]

a very similar thing happened to me last week, have a read of this,

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/360239-strange-fry-found/

maybe you can learn by my mistakes.

 

[minnnt]

You need to purchase a little floating breeding tank mate. This way they can still be in your tank, but safely. They're about £5 from a lfs. You will need one for the future as once they have started they tend not to stop. Lol. You can keep an eye out for a cheap, small fry tank, any size will do, mine is 30 litres and is brilliant for fry. Mine has got swordtails in it at the moment. EBay or any local adds is a good place to pick up bargains.

 

[Stoty]

ok. thanks people.

 

[Stoty]

dumb question buttttt.............


If my water at room temp is about 73 F, can i do the bowl of water with water changes?

 

[wilsonefc]

dumb question buttttt.............


If my water at room temp is about 73 F, can i do the bowl of water with water changes?

well, it never worked for me, if theyre still with you tommorow, i would run straight out and buy a breeding net, so you can keep them in the tank , with the correct water conditions.

 

[littlegreentiger]

My Dad has accidentally bred Swords and Mollies in his biUbe. They all just appeared one day out of the lava rock the tank came with. They're currently doing some growing up with a view to moving house to a LFS that is taking them. So here's a tip to anyone that actually wants to breed livebearers. Get some lava rock as the natural gaps are a perfect hiding place because Mom and Dad can't get their heads in to eat you and any food that sinks falls through these gaps. Also he had the plastic plant to cover the tube in the middle. This also provided plenty of cover. About 15 Swords and 5 Mollies have survived with out doing anything but letting nature take it's course.

 

[Stoty]

i am a handy person. i think i am going to make a little container to put in the tank out of an empty water bottle. i was just at the LFS and they want $20 for a breeding cage. no way.