Sabi

Hi there.

I've noticed that the females of my black and white tetras stomachs have swelled. will they lay eggs? Likely the fry will survive?

Tom

OK, it's time to answer a question with a few of my own questions.
1) Do you notice this after they are feed(even a few hours later)?
2) What type of tetra are they exactly? And how big are they now/when you got them?
3) How many of those tetras are there in total?
4) Are they all like that?
5) What else is in the tank?
6) Do you know what a spawning mop is? If so, do you have one/are willing to make one for them?
If you have a male and female that have reached sexual maturity, they will try and spawn if the conditions are good enough. The fry might survive if you don't have anything else in the tank and if there is enough cover for them to hide and the parents are taken out after you have noticed they have spawned. Please answer my questions like
1)
2)
etc.
I hope I can clear up as best to my knowledge.
Tom

Sabi

1) no, all the time.
2) Black skirt tetra & white skirt tetra: about an inch and a half at present, ermm, i think maybe just about an inch when i got them(some months ago)

3) a pair of black tetras and a pair of white
4) to my knowledge the females of both types of tetras have big stomachs (1 of each type has big stomachs and 1 dont)
5) some other tetras,angels,gouramis,guppy,mollie, loach,cory,pleco,rasboras,chinese,algae eater?
6) No to 1 i dont know what it is, i'm afraid. I can try to make one...
I can put them in my 8gal as i've nothing to stay in there permntly
Thanks...

Tom

If you have a perfect environment in the tank they are in now, it is very hard to duplicate that in another tank. The fish could also abort the spawning if they are put through to much stress. As for the spawning mop you need;
a long piece of nylon wool,
a piece of crdboard no less than 6" in width
something to cut the wool
a cork(optional)
First you wind the wool around the width of the cardboard about 30 times. Next, tie an end of the wool to the top of the cardboard leaving about 8" to dangle. Next, cut the other end of the wool on the cardboard making the wool long pieces. The mop is done. If you want it to float, then attach a cork to the pice that is 8" at the top. If you want it to sit at the bottom, just throw it on in the tank. If you want more of them, just repeat the steps and make sure you have everything needed.
Tom

Sabi

Thanks, i'll take a crack at it soon.
If i let them spawn in the main tank isnt it very likely the eggs/fry will get taken for snacks ny the others fish?

Tom

There is a 99% chance they will be eaten by bigger fish so, just don't really worry about it unless you really want some fry to take care of. If you do, take out all the other fish, put in the nets and wait for the spawning to happen, then take out the parents and let the fry grow untill too big too eat and put the other fish in. That is only if you have another tank that is able to support the other fish as well.
Tom

Sabi

i'll make the spawning mop, leave it in the tank, and see whatever happens....