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I have a net breeder that is leftover from when my dad had a fish tank set up years ago. It's never been used, so I thought about trying this for my pregnant platy.
The concern with the net breeder is how to separate mom from fry once they are born. I've read about people using plastic needlepoint canvas as a spawning grate for egg-layers, so why couldn't I cut a piece of that and use it to separate the fry?
Has anyone tried this? Does it sound like something that could work? I don't plan on becoming a hard core platy breeder or anything, I just want to save a few every now and then, so I don't know if I want to get into having a plastic breeder box taking up space in the cupboard. The net breeder can be taken apart and stored nice and flat.
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 8, 2009 15:47:32 GMT -5
good one! the net ones are nice because they are roomy but they don't prevent mama from eating the fry or the other fish from attacking the net and injuring or killing the fry - you could try putting in a small funnel attached somehow to the top of the net so the fry could slip down the hole....something w/ a tapered bottom is best - other than that right off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that could be more foolproof using the resources you have....
I could make the plastic canvas thingy V-shaped like in breeder boxes to help funnel the fry downward... I think I am going to give this a try. If it doesn't work, I could always get a real breeder box for the next batch.
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 12:13:07 GMT -5
good luck! even a V shaped cut-out from a cardboard box would do probably......the thing about the clear plastic is probably more of a visual thing for the mama as she can still see the other fish and is less likely to feel trapped and cause stress
Along this line of thought, as I agree with John (murdock) about the visual aspect, maybe you could find a few pieces of plastic and form a "v" with a small spacer in the middle to allow the babies to drop through. This could be fused together with PVC cement which is safe for aquariums when cured (I use it to build UVs, and many attachments)
Here is what I came up with using the plastic needlepoint canvas. It is shaped like a U, so the babies will (theoretically) be funneled down that way. The bottom of the U is about 2 inches from the bottom of the breeder. I cut longer slits in the plastic to make it easier for them. What do you think?
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 20:15:11 GMT -5
WOW! I am totally impressed! you are a creative genius! I bet you play a mean violin! the only suggestion I might make is that you cut out a few more ribs at the very bottom of the "U" to elongate the slot - if they don't fall directly down quickly, they may become a target to mama - don't be alarmed if a few swim back up - that happens - want a job as a design engineer? I like the way you think, and being able to build what you designed is a great asset! btw, are you left handed?
Thanks guys! I feel a lot better about it now. I will definitely cut some more slits in the plastic. Perhaps I should make them into a "+" shape to make it even easier. Squares might make the holes big enough for mommy to get through, but a + should work.
Sadly enough, this is about as creative as I get. Plus I'm right handed, so it most likely was a fluke. ;D
Now I just have to get her in there at the right time!
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 20:49:50 GMT -5
don't sell yourself short! I think you did a wonderful job! all you need is one slot about 3" long - it should be great! now just keep an eye on her as much as possble and see how the other fish in the tank are reacting to her - males following closely behind her usually indicate she is about to or has had a few already - I was blessed - my platys seemed to wait til I came home......
what i would watch out for though, as i see you have the net itself on the outside of the structure, that the fry will get stuck on the bottom between the net and the plastic structure
Just because it works for me, doesn't mean it works for you.
There is always more then one way for the same result.
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 20:58:08 GMT -5
good point Eve but I'd be more worried about the other fish in the tank that attack the net to get to the babies lying on the bottom - 2" is a good space because they can still swim up around the "U"
good point Eve but I'd be more worried about the other fish in the tank that attack the net to get to the babies lying on the bottom - 2" is a good space because they can still swim up around the "U"
one of the main reasons i threw all my breeders out
Just because it works for me, doesn't mean it works for you.
There is always more then one way for the same result.
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 22:01:35 GMT -5
so what do you do now? isolate mama w/ a lot of plant cover? my pond produced fry - I had tons of floating fry cover - I used the breeders strictly for raising numbers to fill the ponds - hell, I've even spooned them outof a bowl!
yes, with livebeaerers i definitely prefer the plant cover, or a separate breeding tank, which can be as small as a 2.5 gallon with filter and heater
i haven't bred anything in a while besides the yellows which bred on their own as well as the auratus last year, which where raised in a 10 gallon holding tank
as well as if my kribs breed, they will either be raised in a 10 gallon holding tank, or in a divided section in my 55 tank
Just because it works for me, doesn't mean it works for you.
There is always more then one way for the same result.
Eve, do you mean that the fry could get squished at the bottom between the green plastic part and the net? I will have to make sure that the net is snug against the plastic. I also plan on tying fishing line or something around the outside of the net to make sure that Mom can't get around the U shape on the sides.
I though about just leaving them to fend for themselves, but I really doubt many would make it. The SAE and Fox are always snooping around the bottom of the tank. And my cherry barb and betta. There are just too many voracious eaters in there.
If my other female platy hadn't decided to get sick, I could have put Mom in half of my 5 gal QT until the babies came, but oh well.
I'm going to put some java moss at the bottom of the net, so hopefully the fry will head for that.
Last Edit: Feb 11, 2009 16:47:16 GMT -5 by babygeige
Post by murdock6701 on Feb 11, 2009 17:07:32 GMT -5
Steph, the fry are only going to be in there as long as it takes the mama to have them which is generally less than 2 hours - after that, she goes back into the main tank and the fry go off somewhere else - I believe that is your intention otherwise why would you have constructed the birthing box right - trust me, if you have 2" of space between the bottom of the "U" and the netting, the fry are not going to be squished - how can they be? unless mama weighs 5 lbs........LOL!
the fry tend to hide between the net as long as their is room to get in there out of my experience, unfortunately i always lost fry due to that i have seen people putting the net inside of the construction, that way no squish danger
Just because it works for me, doesn't mean it works for you.
There is always more then one way for the same result.
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