So today, it accured to me that while siphoning water from one of my tanks out the window, I could easily suck up fry, which I really don't want. I'd hate to mow the lawn and notice a pile of dead little fish on the ground. So what would be a good way to assure I'm not sucking up any babies? It's for a con tank, so I'm sure I'll have fry constantly soon, so this is why it's a concern. I was thinking about wrapping the in-aquarium side of the tube with those stocking things women use on their legs for some reason. However, I'm not comfortable enough with myself to go to wal-mart and buy hosiery. So, is there any other thing I could use to make sure fry aren't taking a flying leap 2 storys out a window? If all else fails, I suppose I'll have my girlfriend let me borrow her stocking things.. which will be an interesting conversation in itself..
Fry-Sucking Death Machine
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All in good logic, but there are no fry yet. I'm just assuming, since they're cons and all. I just want to avoid throwing good fry out the window, quite literally. In the end, the plan is for feeders.. but no fish wants a fry that's been baking in the sun for 2 hours covered in grass and dirt.
Before the eggs hatch, that will be your last opportunity to clean the tank. After that, you will need to wait until the fry are free swimming and looking like little fish. The parents will grind up food and spit it out for the fry. It will look like frothy fish diarhea. If you keep cleaning it, your fish will starve and die.
btw, the fry will stay on the bottom for several weeks. You can do a water change as long as you do not drain from the bottom.
I syphon from the very top of the tank, about 2 inches down, in a 24'' high tank. Just where the pair has dug out and hang out is in the very back of the tank, which is up against the wall. I have no way to look into their cave to see if there's even eggs.
I always put a bucket at the exit end of my siphon tube and let it overflow like a sand trap. It catches any fish or snails I accidently suck up and it works. If you have very small fry, I would miss a couple of water changes or use a sponge over the siphon which will allow you to remove just water. Leave the detritus and mulm until the fry are much larger.
