Feeders for my sunfish

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Cablemonkey

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 10, 2011
149
1
0
Everton, MO
So I have read discussions as to what the best feeder breeder to use for sunfish would be and I think I have decided to go with convicts for their high counts of small fry.

I have been reading about their behavior and I know they like larger tanks but I am currently very limited (unemployed style limited) on my budget so I need to utilize my 3 10s.

Things I have done or am planning for my feeders:

- DIY cave made from 4" pvc pipe cut in 1/2 to make a 4" deep by 2" tall hidy hole covered in river/calaco pebble
- Play sand substrait mixed with 1/2-3/4" river/calaco pebble to help break water flow and keep the sand in place
- Using a DIY filter similar to this one by joey - http://youtu.be/DXDzgM9x3tc?hd=1
- River rock piles or homemade driftwood and several fake plants to give lots of hiding place and allow them to get a little "breather" space
- Debating possibly sacrificing some Neon Tetras (5ish) to give some diversion (unless there is a better diversion fish for this case, being a small tank)
- Asain algae eater to...well...eat algae... (unless other is recommended)

My question is at what point should I remove the fry from the parent tank in their "feedlot" or should they just go from momma to mouth?

With the exception of the 3 10s, my entire plan is set in jello and wide open to suggestions from the far more experienced Monster community!

Please keep in mind I am on a micro budget, pretty much anything I want to buy I first have to pawn something off on Craigslist to get the funds for, at least until school starts back up and I can get something part time. I am handy with tools though my tool selection is currently somewhat limited. So fire away and I will say yay or nay!
 
i've heard of molly's and guppies being great feeders aswell, you could throw tons into that ten gallon which a sponge type filter and let them breed away
 
Owain4;5120755; said:
i've heard of molly's and guppies being great feeders aswell, you could throw tons into that ten gallon which a sponge type filter and let them breed away

Yeah those where the other two breeds most commonly debated for feeders, I am still a little up in the air, I might try a pair of convicts in one tank, some guppies in another and some mollies in the third... Variety, the spice of life, right?
 
Well they are really trying hard to refuse pellets, only a few of the really young ones are picking it up, the larger ones dont even acknowledge them. I'll try frozens again and see what happens...
 
I keep rosies in a 10 gal. Very easy to maintain and breed. To the point that you have too many fry. The Greens, blues, and pumpkins love them.
 
Spazzoni;5128730; said:
I keep rosies in a 10 gal. Very easy to maintain and breed. To the point that you have too many fry. The Greens, blues, and pumpkins love them.

I personally prefer mosquito fish as feeders because unlike rosies they don't contain thiamiase enzyme which is has been connected to hole in the head disease. The only bad thing is my LFS doesn't carry mosquito fish all the time. Any tips on spawning rosies
 
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