Harlequin Rasbora Fry

[rebrn]

Hello all, well I might be jumping the gun here, but thought I would get a few questions out of the way. So a couple of days ago I had a really fat Harlequin Rasbora and wasn't sure if it was eggs or constipation, well as it turns out it was eggs. I saw her laying some today, but as I didn't see any other fish near her at the time, I really don't think any were fertilized. But thought I would get myself prepared for the possibility of fry.

First, do Harlequin Rasboras eat thier eggs/fry? I ask this because I do have a tank I can put them into but it is currently being used to treat a sick fish, I could put them into a plastic container (i.e. rubbermade container - roughly 5 gallons) but my only spare heater is being used in the iso tank with the sick fish. So if I could leave them in the main tank with the school (9 in total and 3 snails) that would be better for now, but I can go buy an extra heater if needed. Also I do have 2 sponge filters (one is in the tank with the sick fish) but neithor is fully cycled, so again if I could leave them in the main tank that would be better. I have already covered the intake with clean nylon stockings so I don't think any of them will get caught in the filter.

Upon reading I saw that the eggs hatch within 24 hours and the fry are free swimming in 72 hours. If I need to remove them, would it be better to remove them once they are free swimming, or once they hatch? (sorry if this a stupid question but I am new to fish and have never dealt with fry before)

Finally, what should I feed the fry?

Thanks

 

[VaegaVic]

Hi there,
It's always better to be prepared rather than caught out, here's what I know, may not be much, but it should give you a headstart:


The parents will eat their own eggs so it is very important to remove them from the tank right away.One the eggs are placed in the second tank, the water level should be no higher than about 4 inches. The eggs will hatch in 24 to 30 hours and in three to five days the fry become free swimming. The young should be fed on baby brine shrimp and other small foods. Growth is fairly rapid.