What to do once wigglers have become free swimming fry?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Fishnthehood

Fishnthehood

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
839
82
46
Chino, CA
In the past my male cuban has killed two other females and brutally beat the 3rd. So after a month in the hospital tank I put her back in the tank with the male cuban twice her size. I noticed over the last week that my cubans had started to go through the motions of breeding. Eggs where laid and now they began wiggling with the mother removing them from the rocks and then pitting them.

My question is when should I extract the youth, I've heard when they become free swimmers but how soon will that need to be? Right now I would say about 60 to 100 of these things are wiggling, with about another 100 eggs looking like they will start wiggling soon?

Help ... lol
 
It takes 5-7 days and I always remove some at that point but always leave some as well because if you take them all out sometimes the male blames the female for losing them and kills her plus if strengthens the bond
 
Some remove the eggs as soon as they are fertilized. In the past I have removed them as soon as they are free swimmers to waiting a few weeks. I find its easier to remove them while they are in the eggs and you don't risk damaging the babies. Then you can put the babies in a smaller container with a sponge filter and keep an eye on them. They will need to fed at least three times a day and you will want to do frequent water changes as well as cleaning up any uneaten food. Good luck!!
 
trace said:
It takes 5-7 days and I always remove some at that point but always leave some as well because if you take them all out sometimes the male blames the female for losing them and kills her plus if strengthens the bond
Click to expand...

100% TRUE...dont take them all out...leave some.

Mine hatches in 2-3 days, and another 2-3 days for the birth sac to be used up...So as soon as you see the sac is small or disappeared then remove them with a TURKEY baster. You can tell because they are wiggling up, instead of on bottom.

However it depends on YOUR tank setup...mine is bare bottom so I can wait. Frys may get lost in gravel and get caught up in tiny algae hairs, etc. Dont forget to put some Methelyne Blue in your tank with the frys.
 
Calihawk said:
100% TRUE...dont take them all out...leave some.

Mine hatches in 2-3 days, and another 2-3 days for the birth sac to be used up...So as soon as you see the sac is small or disappeared then remove them with a TURKEY baster. You can tell because they are wiggling up, instead of on bottom.

However it depends on YOUR tank setup...mine is bare bottom so I can wait. Frys may get lost in gravel and get caught up in tiny algae hairs, etc. Dont forget to put some Methelyne Blue in your tank with the frys.
Click to expand...

Okay I have a five gallon tank that I will be using as the hatchery. I have the Meth Blue but need to buy a turkey baster.

My tank bottom is black sand what would you recommend?
 
When i removed eggs or free swimmers i always put them in a bare bottom tank.
 
HokieFish said:
When i removed eggs or free swimmers i always put them in a bare bottom tank.
Click to expand...

Thanks ... so barebottom and sponge filter. I'm going to use NLS fry growth food as well.
 
hikari first bites is also good. after that I would ground down flakes once they were a little bit larger. Keep us posted on the progress.
 
Thanks Hokie ... I will keep you guys updated
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom