Raising panda cory fry?

Question

I have a group of five panda corys in my 20g tank that spawn regularly.  Usually I just leave the eggs where they are, and sooner or later they become lunch.  So I figured I'd never get any fry.

Well, yesterday I was moving some rocks around in my tank when I saw something tiny wiggling around on the sand.  I took a closer look and sure enough, it was a panda cory fry!  At least a few days old, too, since he wasn't newborn size.  He vanished before I could scoop him out, and I haven't seen him since, but I did find two eggs stuck to the underside of one of the rocks.  So I gently scooped them up and put them in a breeder net.

I'm pretty sure both are viable, since they have dark "crescent" looking things inside them, and a few minutes ago I even saw one twitch.

So here are my questions:

1.) How long do you think it will take them to hatch at this stage?

2.) I don't have any sort of separate growout tank set up yet.  Would they be fine in the breeder net for a while?  If so, for how long?  Could they stay in there until they're large enough to join the main tank?

3.) I also don't have any live cultures going, so what can I feed the fry?  I was thinking of using special fry food, like Hikari's first bites or something--would that work?

I've never raised fry before, so this is sort of a spur of the moment thing.  I know my gazillions of white cloud fry seem to be doing just fine on their own...now if only I could figure out what to DO with them all...

TopPotts · Accepted Answer

1. The eggs hatch in 4-5 days after spawning, so depending on the spawning date, probably any time now.
2.  Your best bet would be a small aquarium, 2.5-5 gallons, with a bare bottom except for hiding places.  Use water from the main tank for starters.  The water should be shallow so they can get to surface easily for air now and then.  You'd have problems keeping a smaller container at a constant temp.  A breeder net is not a good place for them.  

3.  A favorite for most fry is hard boiled egg yolk.  This is best if the tank bottom is bare, with only hiding places for the fry and must be syphoned out every day.  10% daily water changes should also be done for faster growth and health. For tiny newly hatched fry, it should be strained through a handkerchief or similar material.  As they grow, crumbling between thumb and finger works fine.  You could also place canned, sliced green beans that have been very well rinsed.  The adults will also enjoy these.  And of course there are commercial food available for small fry, but much more expensive than the ideal egg yolk..

Anonymous · Answer

Yes it is possible for them to survive mine have I switched my Africans from the 150 gal to 56 gal to accomodate my oscars and I was able to get 2 of the africans fry but not the last on and he has been fine in ther with oscars he hides alot. They may not all survive but a couple will make it I asure you.

Raising panda cory fry?

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