MasterShake2003

Hi all, I had a question about breeding. I bought a very VERY pregnant Marigold swordtail and she is going to drop her fry any day now. I don't have enough room to set up a proper breeding/growing on tank. So today, I went out and bought a little 2 gal. kit that uses an underground filter.

So my question is, should I move this pregnant sword to the 2 gal. (I'm filling with tank water from my 55 gal.) Will she be OK? Should I use a breeding box in the 2 gal (if it will fit inside)? Or, should I forget all this and just put her in the breeding box in the 55 gal and then move the fry from the box into the 2 gal.?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

COBettaCouple

A tank with a UGF is going to be a death trap for the little fry, unfortunately. I would advice a different tank (or filter) for the fry tank. You'll want either a sponge filter or a HOB filter with fish net netting secured around the intake with a rubber band. Or if you have a soft sided mesh breeders net, you could use that in a pinch.

Either way, I wouldn't move the pregnant sword. If she's close to dropping, the stress could be fatal to the fry and maybe to her as well. Just give the fry lots of hiding spots, like hanging plants, floating 'guppy grass', etc. and rescue them after they're born.

Actually, the way to put her in a mesh breeders net would be to put it in the water and sort of 'scoop' her into it gently - almost like netting her. That would give her the least stress and make it easiest for you to rescue the fry after she drops them. Be sure to leave floating plants or guppy grass and/or plants for the fry to hide from momma in.

MasterShake2003

Here's another question. If I were to get a sponge medium, could I just use the tube from the UGF with an air stone and kind of "rig" my own sponge filter? I'm not familiar with sponge filters, but from what I've read, that is essentially how they work.

Blub

guppiemaster892

I would just get a little breeding cage. They r a very good cage that seperates the young and the female. This will keep her away from the other fish and will let her keep her young safe in the same tank.