Unexpected white cloud fry, any tips?

Question

I've got 8 white clouds in an unheated 10g planted tank.  The water temp usually stays around 75-76.  I figured that might be too warm for spawning, since I know they like it cooler than that.

Well, today I happened to glance into the tank and what do you know, I've got babies!  At least 20+ fry, less than a quarter of an inch long.  I have no idea when they hatched, but I figure it can't have been more than a few days ago.  They must be eating infusoria around the plants.

Of course, now I'm not quite sure what to *do* with them.  I have no room to keep them, and somehow I just can't bring myself to feed them to the bettas and paradise fish.  So I'd like to try raising as many as I can catch.

I was thinking I'd go out and get a 5 gallon tank, fill it with java moss/anacharis/hornwort and the like, and pop an airstone in.  However, any more specific details on how to raise them would be helpful, since this is the first time I've had to deal with baby fish! (But probably not the last, considering how plump the WC females still look...)

John Justice · Accepted Answer

If you want to raise the fry go get a 10 gallon tank for like 10 dollars at petsmart, a small airstone, and since you said your house is already hot enough you won't need a heater. You can feed the fry infusoria, baby brine shrimp, or daphnia.

If you don't want to raise them you can sell to pet shop or give some away to friends and family.

Shannon · Answer

The females will have a fatter belly, you can only really tell if when they are ready to breed. You need at minimum a pair, but I suggest you get about 6, that way you are pretty sure of having a pair in there. Set up the tank with a heap of plants like java moss or fine leaved fake plants. The fish will spawn and just scatter their eggs around the tank. They generally dont eat the eggs or fry, or at least they dont eat them all. The fry hatch out after a few days and can be fed with fine flake or fry food. They can just be left with the adults as long as there is plenty of cover. After a couple of months they will have grown, and be 1" after maybe 6 months. Adult size is 1-2" They are really just an 'add water and wait' fish as far as breeding goes. Usually you dont have to do anything, you just look in there one day and notice baby fish. Ian

Anonymous · Answer

feed them either baby brineshrimp or micro worms. And for the fry tank, get a sponge filter.

Unexpected white cloud fry, any tips?

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