Regarding "Latest Spawn in Your Tank" Thread

[PaulineMi]

I read the posts in the "Latest Spawn" reports thread occasionally.  What do you with all of the fry produced in these spawns?  I ask in all seriousness as I have very prolific angelfish which are not types that are routinely found in LFS or big box pet stores. Sometimes I consider breeding them but then there are all the fry to deal with. Are certain species of cichlids more in demand or is there heavy culling involved, or what? 

[JeffroM]

Auctions
Feeders
Sell on this forum
Sell on Craigslist
Sell to independent pet stores

Yes some are obviously worth more and in higher demand than others.  My recommendation is keep what you like and if your able to sell any fry that is just a bonus.

[danielratti]

Here is the thing that I do and we do at the store if you find a lfs that will buy from you or give store credit that's what you do. We have guys we buy from at our place but its depending on the price if someone is smart enough to sell at wholesale prices we generally buy from them. But we are picky when it comes to what we buy mainly we get haps peacoks and some tangs all stuff that isn't overly aggressive like mbuna. Another thing people do is trade fish or take them to the auctions all things you can consider.

[Marty]

My recommendation if selling to a store is to get your money or use your credit immediately.  This eliminates potential problems down the road with payment/credits.

[Regalblue]

Most of mine become feeders.  Either from tankmates,  parents or siblings

[PaulineMi]

Thanks for the replies. I live near Preuss and they breed their own angels. There is a locally owned pet/feed store that has a few locations, a couple of which sell fish. My being in a rural area limits the number of potential buyers I can reach. Even the offer of free angels gets met with "you live too far".

I guess it's the gamble of raising them and hoping to find people who want them. That's the part that sets me back. The emotions get in the way when having hatched out fry and then growing them into lovely little fish.

I do know of an angel hobby breeder who keeps a lovely flowerhorn for culling purposes.....

[Ron]

My being in a rural area limits the number of potential buyers I can reach.

I have that problem too. Typically I try to list fish for sale on forums only when I have enough of a variety that someone would justify making the trip to get a few things, or I try to post up when I'm traveling to an area and could bring fish along the way. I've sold to LFSs in the past, but I found it sometimes a hassle and haven't sold to one in years now.

[PaulineMi]

Gas prices certainly don't help.

My dad lives in Lapeer and my sister is in Lincoln Park. Posting when traveling is an idea. Thanks.

[Rob S]

I would add that certain fish always seem to have a market, especially at auctions. Angelfish being one of them. (Electric Yellows, Tropheus, Discus also come to mind) Back when I would breed fish, I would always try and save these bread and butter types for auctions or to sell so I could collect a little bit of cash to supplement my hobby.

[PaulineMi]

Your angelfish comment is good to hear!  Yeah, I'm not trying to make a bunch of money.  Just would like to raise a few spawns and be able to find people who might want them. 

[Ron]

Are the angels your breeding of one particular strain?

[PaulineMi]

Here are some of my angels.....

 http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1594.0

[mightieskeeper]

Hey pauline. Do your angels raise there young or eat them?  I have 2 pairs of angels but neither pair raise there fry.

[PaulineMi]

I've had "all of the above" occur. However I haven't put a pair in a tank on their own to get serious about finding out how successful any of them would be as true parent raisers.

Usually it can take several spawns before they get it right.  One pair of mine ate their eggs two times in a row then their last spawn made it to wigglers stage. (I messed them up during a water change, not knowing they were on the filter intake.) The others have appeared to be parent raisers, fully caring for the spawn for a few days until my crummy water ruins the eggs. The fry I raised were the result of putting the leaf the eggs were on in a separate tank with me hatching them out in distilled water.

Are your angels in a community tank? There's an interesting theory that if they feel threatened they'll instinctively eat their eggs or wigglers rather than have them nourish "enemies".  Of course there's also the very real possibilty that the parenting instinct has been bred out of them.

[mightieskeeper]

Both of my pairs are in there own 20 gallon talls.