Small Breeder Box Stunting Fry Growth?

Hey guys so I bought a Breeder box to try and save some guppy Fry. The first one I had in there was ok for about a week then his tail became pointy and he died shortly after. I now have 2 in there which I believe were born around the same time. One seems to be growing much more then the other. The bigger one seems to have a slight curve to his spine. The smaller one seems like his tail is starting to become pointy. Is it that the box is too small? It’s about 4” wide by 6” high by like 3” deep Water parameters are perfect. Feeding 3-4 times a day

 

I’ve known them stunt growth but not cause deformities, especially after just a week’s growth. I think that’s probably down to the parents.

 

Hey guys so I bought a Breeder box to try and save some guppy Fry. The first one I had in there was ok for about a week then his tail became pointy and he died shortly after. I now have 2 in there which I believe were born around the same time. One seems to be growing much more then the other. The bigger one seems to have a slight curve to his spine. The smaller one seems like his tail is starting to become pointy. Is it that the box is too small? It’s about 4” wide by 6” high by like 3” deep Water parameters are perfect. Feeding 3-4 times a day

Hello Dam...

There's no way for healthy fry born in a breeder box for their growth to suddenly become stunted in it. There are other reasons for them dying. First, breeder boxes aren't used much any more. The tanks should simply be well planted at the surface to allow privacy for the females and a hiding place for the fry. The adult fish should be well fed and they'll leave the fry alone. Most of the tank water is removed and replaced every few days to maintain good water conditions for the fish. I'd get some floating plants in the tank like Hornwort or Water sprite and allow the female to drop the fry. Moving the female can stress her or rough handling can cause problems for her and the fry.

Old

 

Hello Dam...

There's no way for healthy fry born in a breeder box for their growth to suddenly become stunted in it. There are other reasons for them dying. First, breeder boxes aren't used much any more. The tanks should simply be well planted at the surface to allow privacy for the females and a hiding place for the fry. The adult fish should be well fed and they'll leave the fry alone. Most of the tank water is removed and replaced every few days to maintain good water conditions for the fish. I'd get some floating plants in the tank like Hornwort or Water sprite and allow the female to drop the fry. Moving the female can stress her or rough handling can cause problems for her and the fry.

Old

I have not used the breeder to put the female into. Just scooped up born baby’s and put them in there. I have since added a bunch of plants so any born moving forward I’m going to just let them be. Just scared of just releasing these 2 into the tank. Also one question. I read everywhere that Fry should be fed a few times a day. If they are free swimming in the tank how to I achieve that without the bigger fish eating it before they get a chance to? Also won’t that be over feeding the tank sort of? Thanks

 

I have not used the breeder to put the female into. Just scooped up born baby’s and put them in there. I have since added a bunch of plants so any born moving forward I’m going to just let them be. Just scared of just releasing these 2 into the tank. Also one question. I read everywhere that Fry should be fed a few times a day. If they are free swimming in the tank how to I achieve that without the bigger fish eating it before they get a chance to? Also won’t that be over feeding the tank sort of? Thanks

its harder to keep fry with other and larger fish. I bred guppies for about a year and its quite difficult. the fry and very sensitive and can die easily no matter how much caution you take. if you want to leave them free swimming just put a lot of hornwort floating in the tank (that's the best plant). with them hiding in it the other fish can't bully or eat them and they should be able to get the food if you drop it over them in the plants

 

When I first seen my guppies let out fry I also put them in a breeder box but eventually learned they they will breed non-stop so if your looking to have fry survive add some floating plants and let nature run its course and be prepared to set up another tank or 2 unless you have a plan to rehome them. Good luck! You'll need it

 

When I first seen my guppies let out fry I also put them in a breeder box but eventually learned they they will breed non-stop so if your looking to have fry survive add some floating plants and let nature run its course and be prepared to set up another tank or 2 unless you have a plan to rehome them. Good luck! You'll need it

Yes I already have another 10 gallon set up. I have added Dwarf Sag Wisteria and Java Moss. Let’s see what happens. Thank you!

 

I have not used the breeder to put the female into. Just scooped up born baby’s and put them in there. I have since added a bunch of plants so any born moving forward I’m going to just let them be. Just scared of just releasing these 2 into the tank. Also one question. I read everywhere that Fry should be fed a few times a day. If they are free swimming in the tank how to I achieve that without the bigger fish eating it before they get a chance to? Also won’t that be over feeding the tank sort of? Thanks

Dam...

Guppy females are pregnant as soon as you get them from the pet store. It's because they're raised with males. To ensure a high fry survival rate, you feed the adult fish a little more and more often. Well fed adult fish aren't likely to bother the fry. The fry grow quickly with the added food. They require very clean water conditions, even traces of nitrogen in the water from the dissolving fish waste is enough to make them weak and likely won't live long. To guarantee good water, you need to remove and replace at least half the water in the tank every few days. Floating plants will remove nitrogen too and provide cover for the fry.

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I’ve had breeder box before but no success
I’ve tried to put my guppy in it and as box was small and she had stress all first batch were born dead
But I just quit trying and left them do their thing and now that I have hornwort and sponge filter
They are being so many I have 4 batches of fry now and don’t know what to do with them ( hopefully some of them become pretty) and don’t know the gender yet

 

I’ve seen my biggest female got bigger this weekend and now she’s back to normal with these

 

It would be helpful to list your water parameters.

There's a template of questions in the diseases section of this forum. One of the questions is: "What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just 'fine' or 'safe'."

The most common cause of pintail is bad water parameters. The actual numbers might give a clue to the problem, or at least rule out water parameters as an issue.

I've used breeder boxes in the past both to breed females and to house fry. I don't use them any more. I never had any fish do well in breeder boxes.

 

I lost my cycle on a tank with guppies and babies and tbh, the babies fared better than the adults. I think if you want to breed them, put a few more in from another store and let genetics sort itself out. Maybe the ones you have were offspring of some serious inbreeding and this will sort it. Also, I keep clusters of stiff, artificial plants tied to the hoses and cords at the back of the tank on each side. We call those areas “the nursery” and baby guppies hang out in there safely. The plants don’t give way easily so the other fish don’t like to swim through them to get to the fry.