So I've decided to start a feeder tank

sprewel1612 · September 27th, 2008

I have a 30 gallon tank and bought a powerhead/filter (20-50 gallons) for it today. I was thinking of keeping feeder fish in it. The basic idea was to make this tank a decontamination tank, a tank that was medicated so that any feeders added in would be mostly cleansed in a few days (before the feeders were fed to my fish, as an occasional treat of course). Could this work? What kind of fish would be good to keep as feeders (rosy reds? guppies? mollies?). Am I just better off trying to breed feeders? If so, how would I do it and with what fish? I'm willing to buy a heater if necessary

pepetj · September 27th, 2008

Hi sprewel1312:

I tried this path but ended up caring for the Fancy Guppies I got for this project, they even have names now... Then I did some more reading and decided to go with Convicts. Problem is I ended up caring for them too, so now I have two pairs living in two different tanks, and I let nature takes it course. Prolific breeders and great parents!

Using meds for feeder fish just doesn't make any sense to me... If I have a sick feeder fish I would like my other fish NOT to eat those. Preventive measures should do the work: Quarantine accordingly and raise your own fry. To pull this through you would need at least another tank to raise the newborns.

I first considered guppies since their pregnancy cycle last around a month and all you need to do for getting fry out of them is wish you don't. Mollies might be a bit more demanding (in terms water conditions). Convicts seem the best choice; if you get a male and female they will pair-off.

Since I failed in this, let's wait for experienced advise...

On a side note: have you considered hatching brine shrimp (artemia)? it's a cheap and easy way of live feeding... just a thought.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Aro · September 27th, 2008

I was at pet land today and they sell guppys as feeder fish

SkyCrystal · September 27th, 2008

I would definitely go with the Convicts. They are wonderful parents. As long as you have a pair in a tank, they'll breed... It's that simple. If you're new to breeding, Convict Cichilds are the best choice to get some experience.

Shawnie · September 27th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepetj

Hi sprewel1312:

I tried this path but ended up caring for the Fancy Guppies I got for this project, they even have names now... Then I did some more reading and decided to go with Convicts. Problem is I ended up caring for them too, so now I have two pairs living in two different tanks, and I let nature takes it course. Prolific breeders and great parents!

Using meds for feeder fish just doesn't make any sense to me... If I have a sick feeder fish I would like my other fish NOT to eat those. Preventive measures should do the work: Quarantine accordingly and raise your own fry. To pull this through you would need at least another tank to raise the newborns.

I first considered guppies since their pregnancy cycle last around a month and all you need to do for getting fry out of them is wish you don't. Mollies might be a bit more demanding (in terms water conditions). Convicts seem the best choice; if you get a male and female they will pair-off.

Since I failed in this, let's wait for experienced advise...

On a side note: have you considered hatching brine shrimp (artemia)? it's a cheap and easy way of live feeding... just a thought.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

same with me!!!! I am over loaded with convicts and I know they were raised very healthy and happy but I dont have the heart to use them as feeders...

Allie · September 27th, 2008

Convicts are too fast & smart for feeders anyways. We had too many appear in our 120g when we thought they were piranha snacks.

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