bredding trap or back in the main tank?

[phillippa42]

Hi,

I have one molly fry and went out and got one of those plastic traps to put him in to keep him safe - he's nearly 1cm long now. But I feel sad for him been in the plastic box, he has plenty of room but I'm worried that he'll either be bored or stressed 'cos he has no plant to hide in.

Would he be better back in the tank and take his chances hiding in the plants? Its quite a well planted tank.

Or will he be ok in the trap?

thanks

 

[dwarfgourami]

What I did with my first platy fry was to hoik out a small plant from the main tank and dump it in the breeding trap to give them some relaxation space (they were being eyed hungrily by the adults from outside all the time). I'd never been able to keep any fry alive before, so really wanted to save these. Kept them in there for a few weeks, then let them out into the main tank as we were going on holiday. Just got back and they're doing fine.
However, another batch were born while we were away and have survived in the main tank. I think partly because I planted it a bit more before I went away, partly because there seems to be safety in numbers; now that there are 3 batches of different sizes swimming around (the guppy also delivered), it seems to confuse the adult fish and their hunts become more erratic.

Actually, if your fry is 1 cm long, I would say he is probably ready to go in the main tank; he probably needs more swimming space.

Hi,

I have one molly fry and went out and got one of those plastic traps to put him in to keep him safe - he's nearly 1cm long now. But I feel sad for him been in the plastic box, he has plenty of room but I'm worried that he'll either be bored or stressed 'cos he has no plant to hide in.

Would he be better back in the tank and take his chances hiding in the plants? Its quite a well planted tank.

Or will he be ok in the trap?

thanks

[snapback]893394[/snapback]​

 

[paulthegreat]

1cm maybe about right for release if you do not have any larger fish. Remember fry are not safe untill you are certain they can not fit into any of the hungry mouths about. I would also recomend feeding the tankmates first and then doing the release after lights out. The fry could be fine for a couple more weeks in the trap but a heavily planted tank gives it a good chance of making it. HTH

 

[phillippa42]

Thanks for the answers. I have some pakistani loaches in the tank and am most concerned about them.

Think I might leave him in the trap another week - its quite a large trap and he has enough room. Will put a plant in for him!

 

[paulthegreat]

My Pakis (Yoyo loaches) were masters of sucking the small fry throught the bars of the trap. 1cm is too big for them to do that with. Now when I have new fry I stretch a nylon stocking over the vents to stop this. Extra care must be given though to remove food and waste at least twice a day!