Question About Fry

[Dublin_Lad]

Guys, I hafve 4 fry (3 x sailfin mollies and 1 x swordtail). They are in their enclosure about 2 months now but don't seem to be growing at all. 1 of the sailfin mollies is about 3cm but the others are still tiny. How long before I should release them into the main tank? The community tank has sailfin mollies, swordtails, neon tetras, silver hatces, cory's and a plec.

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds like the molly is ready for the main tank right now. Those tiny enclosures are not a good place to grow out fry, they are a way to protect some for a short time. If you want to grow out 3 swordtail fry big enough to return to the main tank, I would use at least a 20 litre tank. 60 litres would be a better choice but with a 20 lirte you should be able to get the 3 fry big enough for the main tank in about 2 months. Next time you have fry to grow, you will probably have more than 3, that is why I said 60 litres would be better.

 

[Dublin_Lad]

It sounds like the molly is ready for the main tank right now. Those tiny enclosures are not a good place to grow out fry, they are a way to protect some for a short time. If you want to grow out 3 swordtail fry big enough to return to the main tank, I would use at least a 20 litre tank. 60 litres would be a better choice but with a 20 lirte you should be able to get the 3 fry big enough for the main tank in about 2 months. Next time you have fry to grow, you will probably have more than 3, that is why I said 60 litres would be better.

Thanks for that. I only have one tank, a Juwel 70. I don't have a quarantine or 'growing' tank. I will move the molly this evening but leave the remaining 3 in the hatchery until I can figure out what to do.

 

[Colin_T]

Make sure you feed the fry well. They do best on live foods like newly hatched brineshrimp and microworms. If you are feeding them on flake it will take forever to grow them up.
You should also do partial water changes on the tank several times a week to help improve growth rates.