Need advice on moving fish

[vanalisa]

Okay, this is a lot of info, but I'm nervous.

(@Colin_T thanks for your advice about water parameters. Very helpful, now I can continue with my plans...).

So------
My goal is to rehouse and acclimate 9 fish into an established 10g. I'm having anxiety over some perceived hurdles as it is not a simple "buy fish add to tank" scenario. I have also been entertaining thoughts of breeding, which I have never tried, but they are definitly doing the love dance.

OKAY, here goes...

What am I working with?

1m/2f in 5g running QT the past 3-4 weeks
Fish exhibit fervent breeding antics
Live plants
50% water change yesterday

2m/4f in mature 6g
Steady breeding behavior
Heavy with live plants
50% water change 3 days ago
25% water change yesterday

One 10g housing 6WCMM, 4CPD, 2 Amano
75% water change 3 days ago during which I uprooted, removed, rinsed and floated all plants
50% water change yesterday, gravel vacuum
50% water change today, gravel vacuum
(I need to be attentive to substrate as I am preparing the tank for new group).
---------------------------------------------------------
Imperatives:

Get 20g up and running, ready to receive.
Transfer current 10g group en masse to 20g....?...* Please refer to QUERY below...
Prepare 10g for new family
Keep everyone alive, and the floor and my clothes dry.
------------------------------------------------------
*Query:
What is the best way to get the 9 fish into the 10g?
Remember, I have two tanks to pull from.*

Should I first...
move and acclimate the 3 fish from 5g to 6g, for a total of 9 fish in the 6g for a short while.
Then...move and acclimate them all together into 10g?
Or...
Skip the merge, transfer contents of the 2 tanks at the same time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Concern...
Will I have to use the drip acclimation method here?
Perhaps testing parameters along with keeping even temperature will be enough?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Just for fun!
I happen to have just lying around:

5g filtered tank with some snails, rocks, wood, plant pluckings, seeded filter media, etc...
(Lollypop's restaurant food storage container tank from way back).

Yarn and corks

Possible infusoria (?)

Gobs of plants, possibly with eggs, from the two tanks. I have been inspecting them for eggs and/or fry. No fry, and I'm not even sure what to look for as far as eggs, and I can't seem to find images online
But, I have been really stretching the cleanings out until the last few days for fear of losing any potential life.

How might I make this move an opportunity to try for fry?
See, the 10g tank will be fresh and unplanted.
I could combine the plants that might have eggs into the 6g and let it run without fish?
I could use the 5g just for breeding, make mops and pull fish from the 10g in pairs, then move them back when I see eggs?

 

[FishkeeperLinz]

Apart from the inhabitants of the 10g, you don't actually say which fish you have, just the male to female ratios, but from that, I'm assuming livebearers?

Skip the merge and move them all into their destination tank at the same time, along with their filter media. Putting them into a holding tank just means you have to catch them all again, which will probably just increase your anxiety and their stress.

Check the water chemistry and quality of all tanks involved. If they're pretty much the same, you won't need to use the drip method.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Unless they are fry, I don't think there's any 'best way' to put 9 fish in a 10g tank. I'd put no more than a trio of livebearers in a 10g. And as for breeding [food for thought], where will 25 - 50 fry go?

As for moving fish in general, I always acclimate for temperature, then plop 'n drop. As for transfers between my own tanks (all healthy/established) I net and move directly between tanks. In the case of fry rescue/transfers, I net into a small container of water from the source tank, and just pour into the target tank, or pour into a net, then place them in the target tank.

 

[FishkeeperLinz]

Unless they are fry, I don't think there's any 'best way' to put 9 fish in a 10g tank. I'd put no more than a trio of livebearers in a 10g. And as for breeding [food for thought], where will 25 - 50 fry go?

Good point. I'm assuming they're livebearers, but I could be wrong.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Unless they are fry, I don't think there's any 'best way' to put 9 fish in a 10g tank. I'd put no more than a trio of livebearers in a 10g. And as for breeding [food for thought], where will 25 - 50 fry go?

As for moving fish in general, I always acclimate for temperature, then plop 'n drop. As for transfers between my own tanks (all healthy/established) I net and move directly between tanks. In the case of fry rescue/transfers, I net into a small container of water from the source tank, and just pour into the target tank, or pour into a net, then place them in the target tank.

I agree. Anything more than a trio of guppies in a 10g could lead to complications/aggression.

 

[vanalisa]

Apart from the inhabitants of the 10g, you don't actually say which fish you have, just the male to female ratios, but from that, I'm assuming livebearers?

Skip the merge and move them all into their destination tank at the same time, along with their filter media. Putting them into a holding tank just means you have to catch them all again, which will probably just increase your anxiety and their stress.

Check the water chemistry and quality of all tanks involved. If they're pretty much the same, you won't need to use the drip method.

Pseudomugil furcatus, all adults
The fish in my 10g are upgrading to a 20g!
I can't wait to see them all get more room!

 

[Retired Viking]

Pseudomugil furcatus, all adults
The fish in my 10g are upgrading to a 20g!
I can't wait to see them all get more room!

Is it a 20 gallon long? When you move the fish I would suggest leaving the tank lights off for at least an hour to lessen the stress they have. I do that with all new fish when I place them in a tank. Also make sure there are plenty of hiding places and plants so they can go somewhere where they will feel safe until they get use to the new surroundings.

 

[vanalisa]

Unless they are fry, I don't think there's any 'best way' to put 9 fish in a 10g tank. I'd put no more than a trio of livebearers in a 10g. And as for breeding [food for thought], where will 25 - 50 fry go?

As for moving fish in general, I always acclimate for temperature, then plop 'n drop. As for transfers between my own tanks (all healthy/established) I net and move directly between tanks. In the case of fry rescue/transfers, I net into a small container of water from the source tank, and just pour into the target tank, or pour into a net, then place them in the target tank.

I'll give them to my LFS.
Or I guess I'll have to get another tank!
I'm not hell-bent on the breeding. But they have other ideas! I thought since I had an extra tank running, if I can get some, great!

 

[vanalisa]

Someone told me to remove the substrate?
What do you all think? I could sure use it for the 20g. My money output is out of control. I went to CPS pharmacy, Walgreens, (spent $14 on a plastic airline bottle kit and 1 ml dropper), a specialty store with health food and essential oils, and a shop that sells incense and "paraphernalia."
I bought a small vial/bottle at the last place for $3.
When I went to my LFS, as I was showing the guy to see if he thought the colour would be accurate since the bottle I got was wider than the vials that come with the API Master test kit, I dropped the bottle and it broke.

I was visibly crestfallen and, bless his fish-lovin' heart he gave me a new API vial. When I get a chance he is getting cookies!

Also, I forget, do you rinse Carib Sea substrate? Is said for "planted tanks."

 

[vanalisa]

Is it a 20 gallon long? When you move the fish I would suggest leaving the tank lights off for at least an hour to lessen the stress they have. I do that with all new fish when I place them in a tank. Also make sure there are plenty of hiding places and plants so they can go somewhere where they will feel safe until they get use to the new surroundings.

No. I wish it was, though. I'm moving 6 adult minnows, 4 CPD, and 2 Amano shrimp into the tank.

My plan is to get more minnows and/or CPDs. I have been pondering adding the 10 furcatus, just not sure. The CPDs are small, as are the furcatus, but the minnows are full grown and healthy and would like more!
I love the minnows sooo much.

 

[Retired Viking]

Years ago, I use to keep minnows that I caught from streams around here. I kept them in their own tank.

 

[seangee]

Also, I forget, do you rinse Carib Sea substrate? Is said for "planted tanks."

It is for marine tanks

 

[vanalisa]

It is for marine tanks

Hmmn. Maybe I got the name wrong. I have to see where my box of "fish stuff" is. I keep the labels off what I buy in case I need to share. I just cut out the part with the info, and I think I have one from the bag.

 

[vanalisa]

Years ago, I use to keep minnows that I caught from streams around here. I kept them in their own tank.

You are way cool.

 

[Retired Viking]

You are way cool.

Thanks, they were not as nice looking as the ones they sell in the LFS but interesting to watch. I had them in a 20 gallon long so they had room to swim.