Breeding supplies

So I recently set up a 55 gallon community that for some reason Ive stocked with a lot of livebearers, which is gonna mean a lot of babies no doubt. In fact Ive already got a litter of guppies, had a female that I bought pregnant. So now I figure I better find a way to keep these little buggers alive. Heres where you guys come in. what should I do? A fry tank really isn't feasible, though I realize it would be the best choice. So I'm gonna have to go with a breeder box or net. any tips?

BTW currently have 3 guppies (1M 2F), 2 black mollies(1M 1F), 5 zebra danio, and a Bulldog Pleco (L187b). Looking for tankmates, any suggestions?

 

I would recommend a breeding net to hold the babies once they are born and until they are big enough for the main tank.

For tankmates- how about Gourami? They are really nice looking, active and the way they feel around with their little antennae is great!

--R

 

1 more danio could be good to round out that school. you might want 2-4 breeder nets setup in the tank, 1-2 for each type of fry.. and perhaps a tank divider to keep the male and female babies separate once they're old enough to sex, unless you're planning on turning them into the store then.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys. Hmm good point about separating the sexes. Some will be sold back, a couple females from this batch will be kept, since I know they aren't from this male, and I have a friend whod like a few from each batch as feeders, although not sure if I wanna do that. I also have a spare 10 gallon tank that I could put them in once they get bigger. Its not good for a grow out tank as there are already fish in there, but it could definitely be a holding tank.

 

I might cause a lot of furore, but this is just my opinion. I am going to leave the next fry I get with the adults (I have mollies). I have been separating them so far (now they're big enough, so sharing with adults again), but I am getting so many that I think perhaps nature should take its course. We left a couple in with the adults last time and they are extraordinarily good at hiding and veeeeery quick at getting out of the way. I'd say depending on your adults, they actually have a chance of not being eaten up anyway. I just think that keeping them in a small breeder net does not leave them a lot of room for exploring and doing nice fry stuff.

 

Yeah, I have to admit that I do the same thing- I have never had a problem with fry being eaten though. If I saw that I was losing some, I would immediately use a net to hold the rest.

--R

 

buy small texas holey rocks that have be enought wholes for the fry to get in and you'll have a school of them hiding from the other fish heres a site to get them from txholeyrocks I got one from there and its great for fry to hide in due to my fish are getting to big to get in the holes

 

If I thought theyd be OK Id leave them in there, but Ive personally seen at least 3 or 4 eaten, and I was only able to catch 2 (had 5, but they escaped from my makeshift breeder net) and the rest have mysteriously dissappeared. While I assume their are still some in hiding I can't find any. Which leads me to believe more have been eaten as I was able to spot them before. They are quick, but so are the Zebras and the bigger ones can eat them so yea.

I bought a breeder net today and its alright. I don't particularly like the look of it hanging there, but at least their safe.

 

Oh you saw it happen? (them being eaten). That can't be a nice sight. I guess it just depends on the individual fish community. For ours, it's not been a problem as far as I know. Especially with loads of hiding places, like Trpimp says.