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Convict Fry?


Teamsherman

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HI guys,

Its been ages since I've breed any fish and I recently got some Convicts just to get back into it slowly but surely and sure enough they've spawned for the second time in as many weeks. The first batch of wrigglers I think the mother ate due to the face the cave she layed the eggs in had an entry and exit so it didnt give great all round protection but this time she has spawned in the same cave, but now that they are all wrigglers, in the last 12 hours or so she has moved them into a tunnel cave I gave them that has only one entry.

When will I be able to separate them from the mother and put them into a fry net to ensure these guys make it to fry?? I dont want to do it while they are wrigglers or can I?

I have a fry net big enough to fit the whole tunnel cave in but I wont want to trap the mother in there too as she will be sure to eat them I think.

Any tips as to whats best to do to ensure the most survival rate? There are about 100 or so, as the Convict mother is only about 2 inches in length herself if that.

Cheers,

Alan.

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Al

you can take them at any stage depending on how much work you want to do

best to have a small tank with sponge filter

easiest period to take them is as wrigglers but leave some for mum as domestic problems

can arise if you take all of them

DO NOT use a net saver unless you want them to be picked off over time by the other fish

you could try a fry saver (the old ice cream container with mesh) but the convict fry may get

through the net

small tank with water from main tank and a sponge filter or at least an air stone and daily water changes

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Alan great to have you back online.

My first bit of advise is that you can never start slowly with convicts. They are breeding machines and before you know it you will have MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) just trying to keep up.

I agree with L2H assessment of the of the net saver and that a fry saver or a small tank is the better way to go.

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I've got my hands on a small plastic tank which I will clean out and wait till I can get a sponge filter tomorrow for it then transfer about 3/4 of the current wrigglers into with the water from the main tank and go from there!

Cheers guys!

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Alan great to have you back online.

My first bit of advise is that you can never start slowly with convicts. They are breeding machines and before you know it you will have MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) just trying to keep up.

I agree with L2H assessment of the of the net saver and that a fry saver or a small tank is the better way to go.

Hahahaha wont you know it, the second pair are now cleaning up a second little cave I have in there and the females vent is down so I think I'll be having even more fry soon enough.

I only bought 5 from Andrew at Labyrinth just about 2 weeks ago now and 4 of them have paired up and the 5th is just getting around like a lone ranger.

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Hey guys,

Just a quick one, the little fellas are very ready to be moved. The sponge filter has been running in the main tank for a day now and they are getting very close to becoming free swimming but still very small.

Are they ok to be wrigglers but just sit on the bottom of the small tank obviously no substrate, just a clean plastic bottom? Or should I put a small ceramic bowl like a ramikin in there for them to sit in whilst still unable to freely swim around?

I've also got my turkey baster ready to suck them out, but as stated earlier up the thread I'll leave a few in there so she can still continue her motherly duties caring for some.

Cheers,

Alan.

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I'd wait till they were free swimming and then suck half of 'em out with a short length of hose.

Also leave the fry tank bare apart from the filter and heater.

I wouldn't stress too much though.
Sounds like you'll soon have more fry than you'll know what to do with.

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