Water Change Needed, But I Have Fry?

I was going to do my weekly water change today, but as I was watching the fish eat I noticed there were fry. I usually do the change with a gravel pump; how do I not kill the fry?

I have a 20 gallon

 

Hold the end that goes in the tank with your non-dominant hand, and hold the hose in your dominant hand. Simply hold the hose in a position that allows you to crimp/kink it easily. If any fry start going up the intake crimp the hose so that it can swim out, but also so the siphon doesn't lose suction and you don't need to start it again.

 

Just use a half inch pipe stright into a bucket I use this method with shrimp and do suck them up but get returned unharmed

 

Forget the gravel for now, just change water...

 

Most fish will avoid the tube but fry have no fear. I use a nylon mesh laundry lint trap layered a few times attached to the opening with a rubber-band. This allows the gunk to be sucked up but still need to be careful. Good Luck!

 

When I had guppy fry I I kept the siphon going on with a crimp so the flow was low and help it again the wall or against a piece of rock to help keep the curious fry from being sucked in. I also would sometimes have my extra tubing in there to kind of chase them away if they got too close but they really are curious. I've had issues with a couple of adults getting a bit too curious and almost getting suctioned up.

 

Thank you everyone! This was all so helpful

 

I use smaller pipe like Richie showed for fry. Smaller the pipe /hose the slower the flow.I also keep bucket close to tank height so suction is not overwhelming.A small step ladder has many uses in the fish room.
I just cap the end of hose with my finger or thumb to control flow [since the bucket is so close ]..
Use a clean white bucket so you can see fry .
It happens .

 

Take a fine net and place it over the water side end.

 

I think that idea from jmaldo is cracking all to often I stear people away from putting nets directly over tubes for shrimp as they get pulled against it and get crushed, but if the net is put over a tube that as a series of holes in (as in picture) the force of the flow is is not only reduced but all your fish and shrimp will stay safe if they go near

 

Worked "Good" in my shrimp tank. Just make sure you pay attention. Oh, by the way I also use the crimping of the hose or shutting the valve when I use the python on the tanks with out fry. Many times a fish always try to swim up the tube, along with snails.
Good Luck with whatever method you decide to try.