quick question on fry, help needed asap

[headbanger_jib]

ok today at last i find out why my jewels are cowering in the other half of the tank
it seems the alpha in my tank has chosen a mate and has had laid eggs and the fry have grown out of the wriggler state to the free swimming state
now how do i remove these babies from the tank and move them to the 15 g tank i have for them

is siphoning them a good idea

 

[K626]

I would net them with a soft, long handled net. You could siphon them. I guess it's up to you.

 

[ziggy2]

Best way I know is use a divider to shorten up the tank. Then I would use water from their home tank in your 15g. It's not easy, but you will have to scoop them out with a net. The more you can shorten up the tank the better.

 

[53special]

At that age, I wouldn't siphon them, unless you can do it very slowly. I did it fast, and every one died from stress. With the Jewel fry I have now, I am going to try putting a container in the tank, if they swim in, they are geting moved. Maybe I'll try a juice container, the small opening will keep them there. I have accidently siphoned some between 1/4 and 1/2", and they were fine. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[53special]

I used the slow siphon method, and it worked great. I used a 3/8" hose, and put the bucket only 6" below the tank. The siphon was just strong enought to suck the babies out. At almost 8 hours later, all the babies are alive and doing well.

 

[headbanger_jib]

i used the air tube
and moved them to the 15g tank yesterday night
today morning they are all alive and swimming around the tank
a few of them have also started to venture out alone
but most of them still are in schools

 

[fishbait912]

how are you feeding them? crushed flakes?

 

[vanillaxtiffy]

I siphon larvae with a turkey baster on a regular basis with no ill effects. As long as you're careful, i'd imagine it would be the same with fish fry.

 

[tyl089]

Cool,glad it worked out for you; pls keep us posted about progress.