How long before you seperate the fry from the parents?
- Thread starter Ghage
- Start date
I don't think there is a true guideline... there are just some things to consider...
In my experience the fry grow much quicker and much fatter under the parents care than under my care. Even when I put them in a dedicated fry tank with "ideal" filtration, "ideal" water parameters, 6~8 daily feedings of live hatched BBS, with daily tank cleanings... I guess I just don't have the momma gene in me...
So leaving them with the parents has it's advantages...
But I don't eat the fry, so pulling them out has it's advantages as well...
So I think getting to know your pair and learning their patterns to leave the fry with the parents for as long as possible, then right before the parents start eating their own fry, remove them...
The earliest I've removed them were the day before the eggs hatched... the latest I've waited was when the offspring started pairing off and spawning...
Forgive the 2 am humor... But like you imagined, there is no "guideline", it's a matter of getting to know your pair and learning what works best with/for them...
In my experience the fry grow much quicker and much fatter under the parents care than under my care. Even when I put them in a dedicated fry tank with "ideal" filtration, "ideal" water parameters, 6~8 daily feedings of live hatched BBS, with daily tank cleanings... I guess I just don't have the momma gene in me...
So leaving them with the parents has it's advantages...
But I don't eat the fry, so pulling them out has it's advantages as well...
So I think getting to know your pair and learning their patterns to leave the fry with the parents for as long as possible, then right before the parents start eating their own fry, remove them...
The earliest I've removed them were the day before the eggs hatched... the latest I've waited was when the offspring started pairing off and spawning...
Forgive the 2 am humor... But like you imagined, there is no "guideline", it's a matter of getting to know your pair and learning what works best with/for them...
I try to let the parents raise them to 1/2" - 3/4" or so.. It's easier to move the parents 
keep an eye out for the fry picking on the parents- I've had it happen with quite a few new worlds. Mostly males
Matt
keep an eye out for the fry picking on the parents- I've had it happen with quite a few new worlds. Mostly males
Matt
I guess it varies depending on species, but in general I agree that it's best for the fry to stay with their parents for as long as possible.
I experimented one time - taking half of the fry out and giving them the best care I could, but it became obvious that the fry staying with the parents were doing substantially better.....so I put the other half back
The parents will let you know when they want the fry gone....just keep an eye on them.
I experimented one time - taking half of the fry out and giving them the best care I could, but it became obvious that the fry staying with the parents were doing substantially better.....so I put the other half back
The parents will let you know when they want the fry gone....just keep an eye on them.