Guppy feeders ok or bad?

[Cichlomaniac]

Hey all,
I'm curious to what the consensus is on using guppy fry as cichlid feeders. I am considering raising my own for this purpose.

 

[axs377]

Given you raise them free of diseases, no harm as the occasional treat.

 

[tlindsey]

I agree with axs377 quarantine the parent fish first.

 

[Cichlomaniac]

I agree with axs377 quarantine the parent fish first.

Ok that was my thought, if they prove to be healthy long term it would be a great treat as apposed to those nasty gold fish at the lfs

 

[tlindsey]

Ok that was my thought, if they prove to be healthy long term it would be a great treat as apposed to those nasty gold fish at the lfs

Actually the feeder Goldfish could be quarantined as well but personally I like the feeder guppy ideal.

 

[Cichlomaniac]

Actually the feeder Goldfish could be quarantined as well but personally I like the feeder guppy ideal.

Guppies are almost as prolific at breeding as convicts.. almost key word.. before long I would have many healthy feeders as treets

 

[tlindsey]

Guppies are almost as prolific at breeding as convicts.. almost key word.. before long I would have many healthy feeders as treets

Your absolutely right .

 

[GamerChick5567]

Yes convicts will work great too. My fish always have a constant supply of tasty snacks when the male convict isn't looking. I do usually end up with quite a few growouts though, and this time I have marbled ones!

You should put your guppies in at least a 20 long for the best results although a 5-10 gallon with good filtration, live plants (IMO a must for guppies to graze on and fry hide in) and plenty of water changes should do the trick. You could also do a big community tank of different livebearers and just keep your population down by using the fry as chow. Keep the temperature above 80 and feed a high quality diet with live foods and veggie matter and they will pump out fry pretty fast.

Speaking of guppies though, my baby sun cat decided to eat the last remaining females in my 29 so I think it's finally time to put him in the 125. That fat turd has grown pretty quick. I think my mollies will be next.

 

[Cichlomaniac]

Yes convicts will work great too. My fish always have a constant supply of tasty snacks when the male convict isn't looking. I do usually end up with quite a few growouts though, and this time I have marbled ones!

You should put your guppies in at least a 20 long for the best results although a 5-10 gallon with good filtration, live plants (IMO a must for guppies to graze on and fry hide in) and plenty of water changes should do the trick. You could also do a big community tank of different livebearers and just keep your population down by using the fry as chow. Keep the temperature above 80 and feed a high quality diet with live foods and veggie matter and they will pump out fry pretty fast.

Speaking of guppies though, my baby sun cat decided to eat the last remaining females in my 29 so I think it's finally time to put him in the 125. That fat turd has grown pretty quick. I think my mollies will be next.

How do mollies reproduce? Are they live bearers?

 

[Gourami Swami]

How do mollies reproduce? Are they live bearers?

Yes Mollys are live bearers like guppys. Almost as prolific too.
Just about any fry will be good feeders, and nothing wrong with it as long as you breed them yourself! Only problem is that the store bough feeders usually are diseased, and when people try to feed goldfish as a staple diet it is unhealthy. But what you're planning sounds like a good idea to me.