How big should fry be before releasing into wild?

[mukundam123]

Hi,

I've got some alunocara benchi and johanni fry in a net, at about 1.5cm (0.5 inches). I've lost quite a few of the alunocara (not sure why), and so was thinking for releasing them into the tank (other cichlids 3 inch plus - no other alunocara though), hoping they might survive better. At what size would I be best doing this? I have dead coral skeletons, with quite a number of hide outs for small fry, but I'd rather not run the risk of them being attacked!

Thanks

 

[Pharaoh]

Youcould probably get away with putting them in there at about an inch.

 

[mukundam123]

Cheers. Woke up this morning, and another one was dead in the net. I've only got 5 of the 10 left now! Any ideas why? Are they killing each other, or could one of the larger fish have killed if from the underside of the net whilst they slept?

Thanks

 

[smootheye]

With most new fish introductions I always use the rule of thirds.
All new fish must be at least one third of the length of largest fish in the tank.
If the existing fish have extra big mouths or appetites you need to make all new fish at least half the existing fish's size.

 

[bobgobucks]

Don't release them into the wild!!! Not unless you live on L Malawi!! Otherwise it would be ecologically irresponsible!
LMAO

 

[CichlidsRool]

Cheers. Woke up this morning, and another one was dead in the net. I've only got 5 of the 10 left now! Any ideas why? Are they killing each other, or could one of the larger fish have killed if from the underside of the net whilst they slept?

Thanks

do a water change and add garlic it works for me all the time..make sure you smash the garlic and put in to your fishnet so you dont have garlic allover your tank.... if you need more help pm me I'll help you.ps to be safe dont put your fry's in with your big fish,an less they are 2 inches.but then i dont know how big your other ones are ....good luck....oh!! one more thing... Don't release them into the wild.....not fair for native fish.......please!

 

[knifegill]

I think his idea of 'the wild' is the bigger tank. I'm sure he knows releasing fish is dumb. A tropical disease from his tank could kill everything in the water out there...

 

[greenearthlawns]

I noticed that happened in my breeder net bc the water in the breeder net wasn't getting enough circulation you need to gently move it around frequently to keep the water quality up... also they might be picking on each other how often are you feeding them? have you tried cyclop eeze? also johanni are more aggressive than baenschi so they may be picking them off... especially if they aren't being fed often... like 3-4 times daily...

 

[mukundam123]

Wow! Garlic? Interesting. Shall give it a try. Yeh, sorry about the 'wild' think - I meant into my big tank! lol! I live in England, so we dont really have the option of a wild - it'd be the cold ocean! lol!

I'm pretty sure that the circulations ok, because the net was infront of the jet (not directly infront, obviously), and I only had the baenchi's in that net. Possibly not feeding them enough - I do so twice a day... Will up the feeding.

Thanks!

 

[gomezladdams]

I agree on the poor circulation,also lack of exercise crowding/fighting in that small space.A net is ok for a few weeks but after that they need some room!