What Do You Do With Your Fry?

[lilacamy931]

Just a topical question that would be interested to hear from hobbyists etc without heat! For those that intentionally or unintentionally breed what do you do when the fry get old enough? Friends, family, free giveaway. Trade in at the store, if you have a store is a local you use often and do you get anything such as store credit? I would be interested to know what sort of rates you get for them. Or do you sell privately?

Be interested to find out peoples opinions and what they do with guppy/livebearer fry once they are old enough for new homes

 

[Harlequins]

I suppose i didn't intend on breeding,but since i then found out they breed like rabbits...

I first 3 batches i sold which was around 100 i sold via a free ads paper and got 50p each for them,

The last 150 i've had to 'donate' to local and not so local lfs due to space needed in the fry tank

No store credit given either

 

[Truck]

I use them as food sometimes for my newts.

Saying that, I have kept 3 platy fry this time round, I was bored and fancied raising some.

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks for that Harlequins, I hope the LFS were grateful for good quality donations! You must be proud though that others have your hand raised guppies though? How about others?

EDIT; Aw Truck so mean

 

[Jenste]

actually I am with Truck on this one....I try and sell the attractive of the brood, generally males, either through adds or bring them for 1/3 credit at an LFS....but the not so pretty ones and most of the females become healthy, parasite free feeders for my African Clawed Frogs

 

[OldMan47]

Where we live there are 3 fish clubs within driving distance that each have 2 auctions of fish each year. When I have a surplus of one or another livebearer, I pack up the excess fish into plastic bags like the ones at the fish shop and carry them to the auctions to sell. The selling prices depend a lot on the crowd that is present but I have often been surprised to see fish I think of as almost valueless, like unselected guppies and common mollies, go for more money than the more exotic fish that I bring. I have almost decided that I will only bring the rare and hard to find fish to the ALA convention where they would be appreciated. If you are colony breeding and want to keep your tanks alive and vibrantly healthy, bring in your mature adults instead of the fry and juveniles. They sell better, people can see what they are getting, and you will be left with the next generation of breeders in your own tanks, not someone else's.

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks for the great tip OldMan47, that sounds really sensible LOL Jenste I would just feel mean but also havent any particuarly predatory fish

Edit: Thanks for all the input peeps, interested to hear more if there are any. It is good to see what sources people use x

 

[helterskelter]

I take a few to auction's or sell on e-bay on occasions or here even

But anything to bad to breed from are removed.
If you still have your betta's they will happily remove some fry for you.

 

[Jenste]

I used to hate the idea of it, but when I was once given an ACF instead of an ADF at a LFS (holy acronyms!) I was won over by their personality and bough a couple more for their own tank....and due to the fact that they can live 15-20 years, it was stressed by other ACF owners to get them very used to people and being handled - best way they recommended doing this was to hand feed the frogs...something I found impossible with reptosticks because they kept dissolving, so they recommended I handfeed live guppies....and now my frogs are tame as labradors! I put my hand in the tank and they swim right up to my fingers and rest on my palm.

They each get about a couple guppies a week now just to help reinforce that bond while they are still babies (less that 1 year old). I used to feel bad but after getting a couple diseased (noticeably) guppies...I just feel it is safer to raise my own rather that risk my frogs!

 

[Alind]

do any thing as the above suggested .
but give them a chance to live my friend,
just see them as your babys not as a part of food chain.

I beg pardon from members, if i said anything wrong.

 

[OldMan47]

You have said nothing wrong Alind but many here will disagree with you. I prefer to find a way to allow mine to survive but when it must be done I will remove poor stock from my tanks.

 

[5teady_2012]

When i use to breed em i use to take em in to lfs and either them away to them or get store credit if i needed food or anything. Gave lots away to friends too.

 

[lilacamy931]

Nope it is good to get a range of views on this (keeping it friendly of course). I know some breed theirs or excess become feeder guppies,I dont like the idea but guess if it is done with the right attitude that is good as of course there are fish that need live food and also it is the way of life. (plus would feel too guilty, but sure that will change)

I do plan to raise all fry that I can and it is good to hear that people use friends, families, ebay, forums, classifiedsa and stores. I would like to eventually approach a local LFS with guppy babies but worry about choosing the right one for me and them - does that sound right? I want a store that wants them but also that is a good one at that and not hideous with fish keeping skills itself after hard work of raising. (edit - perhaps I am being too sentimental? )

At Jenste - I love the story of your relationship with your frogs, that is something really special and glad to hear that they are almost a year1

 

[5teady_2012]

I would like to eventually approach a local LFS with guppy babies but worry about choosing the right one for me and them - does that sound right?

Sounds very right, thats how i was when i was breeding, i was very cautious about which ones i took my fish in to, i wanted to know they got the best lfs possible, there is a lot that dont really care when it comes to lfs, but i was lucky and found a really good one that cares very much about thier stock

 

[lilacamy931]

We do have limited LFS around here and some are definate no gos, I think for myself I would feel better knowing the store owner and standards and knowing they have a good better chance at going to a new nice home from there. Even though I am awaiting frylets first, I have some friends already after some but thinking long term as work with lines.