Possible to raise fry in main tank?

[scifisarah]

I figured it would be awhile before my fish did anything, but it looks like one of my Mainganos/Electric Blue Johannis is holding. Right now I should not be getting anymore tanks or I will be in over my head especially now that it is Spring. I wondered if there is anything I can do in my 75 to help a few of the fry survive to adulthood. Or is it a lost cause in a tank full of Mbuna and 10 syno cats? 

[Ron]

If you have some cover where they can hide and the larger fish can't get to them, you'll have a much better chance that a few will make it.

The easiest way IMO is to make a pile of smaller rocks so the larger fish can't get in the crevices. Or you can use larger, flatter rockwork, such as slate or sandstone, and layer it in a way that leaves small gaps for the fry to hide.

[Dan K]

It's not likely they would survive with those mbunas and synos in there. A few might survive for a while if there are hiding places the other fish cannot access and food scraps get in there. I've heard of using a pile of rocks/pebbles that the fry can get inside of but eventually mine ventured out and most became lunch.
Wouldn't ya know it.....the only survivors I ever had were hybrids I didn't want to survive!

[scifisarah]

Can I have them live in a few of these until they are large enough: http://www.amazon.com/Lee-10265-Lees-Net-Breeder/dp/B0002APRKQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1365618123&sr=1-5&keywords=breeder+box Or will they just bite them through the net and injure them? I don't really know how quickly they will grow, so that doesn't help me decide. My smallest fish right now are probably around 3/4" and they get along well enough with the others. I can certainly try the pebble piles otherwise and just see what happens.

[linuxrulesusa]

I have my electric yellow fry in one of those nets - so far so good.  But there are pink convict juvies in the tank where the net is currently, rather than full grown mbuna.   If the fry are resting on the bottom of the net, they are more likely to get damaged.  If they're free-swimming inside the net, less of an issue.  I would probably go with the solid clear plastic breeder boxes instead, or just set up a 5-10 gallon and save the hassle/worry.

See this thread also: http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=2244

[Dan K]

Can I have them live in a few of these until they are large enough: http://www.amazon.com/Lee-10265-Lees-Net-Breeder/dp/B0002APRKQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1365618123&sr=1-5&keywords=breeder+box Or will they just bite them through the net and injure them? I don't really know how quickly they will grow, so that doesn't help me decide. My smallest fish right now are probably around 3/4" and they get along well enough with the others. I can certainly try the pebble piles otherwise and just see what happens.

I've had success with those by putting a layer of gravel on the bottom of the net to prevent the fry from having their guts sucked out through the net. The net just gets a bit dirty hanging in the tank for so long though.

[scifisarah]

Bleh, I should probably just get a 10 gallon. I already have a 100 watt heater and sponges to put over an AC20 if I buy one, plus I can just take some biomax out of my FX5. I don't suppose my Scarlet Badis and Cherry Shrimp tank would like a cichlid fry invasion.

[linuxrulesusa]

Bleh, I should probably just get a 10 gallon. I already have a 100 watt heater and sponges to put over an AC20 if I buy one, plus I can just take some biomax out of my FX5. I don't suppose my Scarlet Badis and Cherry Shrimp tank would like a cichlid fry invasion.

You've got all the components for another tank, so it would be a shame to leave them just sitting there.   

Yeah...cichlid fry will eat the cherry shrimp sooner or later.

[jkeeler]

May want to consider this

http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-On-Breeding-Box-Medium/dp/B005QRDDJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365622992&sr=8-1&keywords=Marina+Hang+On+Breeding+Box+Medium

[Ron]

May want to consider this

http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-On-Breeding-Box-Medium/dp/B005QRDDJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365622992&sr=8-1&keywords=Marina+Hang+On+Breeding+Box+Medium

I like how that is air-driven.

[Super Turtleman]

Set up the 10 gallon. The fry piles do help.

[techjoe]

A few years ago I had a 40gallon fry tank.  It was my first time breeding fish and didn't know what to expect.  I found out soon enough that older fry will eat up new fry fast.  So with no other tanks around and no cash to get one I took an ice cream pall and drilled lots of 1/4 holes in it flipped it up side down and set a rock on top.  Most the little fry were safe and able to eat and grow large enough to fend for themselves.  Didn't look real cool but it worked.

[techjoe]

Could try tank dividers too.