So i just looked in my 20 gallon aquarium and my largest male who is 2in or more started spawning with a 1.5in female. I do not know
what to do really. This is the 1st time I had any fish spawn. I know the male is in breeding colors and has the tubercles on his head. They
also did the spawning vibration thing with their body (i do not know a really good way to describe this). He is always near the ledge of the
driftwood. Ive been feeding them bloodworms and they might be eating my snails' young. so... any advice?
Fathead minnows spawning
Started by
Guest_Leo1234_*
, Dec 30 2013 05:49 PM
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14 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 07:51 PM
Do you have another tank you can put the parents in? If you remove all the fish in the tank, the fry will have a much better (as opposed to none) chance of surviving.
Ideal situation: If you have another 20 gallon tank, you could put the parents in there. They might spawn again.
Also, you might want to prepare some fry foods. Baby brine shrimp, microworms, vinegar eels. Whatever wiggles will work.
Ammonia is also very important when raising fry. You're going to want to either have a really good ammonia processing capability for the tank (my plants work for me) or daily dechlorinated water changes.
Ideal situation: If you have another 20 gallon tank, you could put the parents in there. They might spawn again.
Also, you might want to prepare some fry foods. Baby brine shrimp, microworms, vinegar eels. Whatever wiggles will work.
Ammonia is also very important when raising fry. You're going to want to either have a really good ammonia processing capability for the tank (my plants work for me) or daily dechlorinated water changes.
#3
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 30 December 2013 - 08:17 PM
Here, this is a link to the live foods page of aquabid. http://www.aquabid.c...ction.cgi?foodl I use baby brine shrimp in an in-tank hatchery, vinegar eels, and grindal worms. I used to have microworms but it turns out that vinegar eels are less work for basically the same thing. My tanks have little infusoria, too, but I'm not sure what species or really what they are. They look like daphnia of a sort.
Live foods are a must for egglayer fry. Baby brine shrimp are probably for sale at your local pet store. You could pick up some eggs today.
Live foods are a must for egglayer fry. Baby brine shrimp are probably for sale at your local pet store. You could pick up some eggs today.
#4
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 31 December 2013 - 12:39 PM
I found some articles for you to read written by people who had spawned fathead minnows and documented it.
Favorite article, has pictures
http://aqualandpetsp...ead Minnows.htm
They say that removing the thing the eggs are on is easier than putting the fish in a new tank. You can pick up a terra cotta pot and take it out and put the eggs in their own tank easier than hunting down the parents with a net.
More articles
http://www.oscarfish...ing-breeding-fa
http://www.fishpondi...rosy2.htm#breed
Favorite article, has pictures
http://aqualandpetsp...ead Minnows.htm
They say that removing the thing the eggs are on is easier than putting the fish in a new tank. You can pick up a terra cotta pot and take it out and put the eggs in their own tank easier than hunting down the parents with a net.
More articles
http://www.oscarfish...ing-breeding-fa
http://www.fishpondi...rosy2.htm#breed
#5
Guest_Leo1234_*
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Posted 31 December 2013 - 07:50 PM
The problem is this is in a near dense planted aquarium with driftwood in the middle. If I move the logs, it will stir up soil, uproot small plants, and scare the minnows since the driftwood creates a cave they like to hide in.
#6
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 31 December 2013 - 08:19 PM
Trap the adults out or let them feed on the fry. Leo, you have to try to do some research, rather than relying on others to answer all of your questions. I know this spawning took you by surprise, and simply may not be meant to be. Next time you can plan on it. This is a group that really tries to plan things out, breed native fish properly, and provide true information. Since you have joined, you have been all over the place.You have been sure each time that this was the fish you had to have. Taking a stab in the dark here, but I would bet that you are young and enthusiastic. That is a good thing. If you really want to do this right, it might make sense to take baby steps. Pick a fish or two (sounds like you have limited space) and work with that, or those species.
Fathead minnows are widely aquacultured, a couple of google searches and you could learn a lot.
If you continue to ask everyone here to solve your problems, you may find that people offer less and less But if you start taking some initiative, researching, and contributing, things will definitely work in your favor.
Enjoy the hobby, and don't burn yourself out too quickly. You can spend the rest of your life learning about the fish native to this continent alone.
Good luck, and slow down a bit.
Fathead minnows are widely aquacultured, a couple of google searches and you could learn a lot.
If you continue to ask everyone here to solve your problems, you may find that people offer less and less But if you start taking some initiative, researching, and contributing, things will definitely work in your favor.
Enjoy the hobby, and don't burn yourself out too quickly. You can spend the rest of your life learning about the fish native to this continent alone.
Good luck, and slow down a bit.
#7
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 31 December 2013 - 09:45 PM
Skipjack's being a little bit unnecessarily mean in my opinion. You're allowed to ask for help, Leo. I'll always discuss fish with you.
Your fathead minnows will raise their fry in the tank with them if there are no other fish. A darter or shiner in there with them will eat their fry, sure. But if it's just the parents, let them raise their babies. I really respect aqualand pets plus, so if their page says they raised their fathead minnows in the tank with their parents with nothing but crushed flake, then that means you can, too. http://aqualandpetsp...ead Minnows.htm
I apologize for going all "Live foods!" and "separate the fry!" on you before reading spawning reports. It's a good standard technique for raising any fry, but not every species needs it.
Your fathead minnows will raise their fry in the tank with them if there are no other fish. A darter or shiner in there with them will eat their fry, sure. But if it's just the parents, let them raise their babies. I really respect aqualand pets plus, so if their page says they raised their fathead minnows in the tank with their parents with nothing but crushed flake, then that means you can, too. http://aqualandpetsp...ead Minnows.htm
I apologize for going all "Live foods!" and "separate the fry!" on you before reading spawning reports. It's a good standard technique for raising any fry, but not every species needs it.
#8
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 31 December 2013 - 10:01 PM
Erica I am being truthful. To a thinskinned person it may seem mean. But if he understands, gets with the program, he will fit in just fine. Beyond that please mind your own business Erica.
#9
Guest_Leo1234_*
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Posted 01 January 2014 - 01:54 AM
Erica, thank you for helping by finding the information I need, I hope to get more help from you with other questions in the future.
#10
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 01 January 2014 - 02:09 PM
Sure. Please post some pictures of the fry here when you see them. If your fatheads are spawning they should do it basically continuously. Remove whatever other fish are in the tank and the fatheads will spawn again and you'll see fry. They'll accept crushed flake food. I picked up a mortar and pestle for $4 from World Market and made my own crushed flake back in the day when I was breeding swordtails. Nowadays I do that and also buy Ken's Golden Pearls for my guppies. You could try either/both.
#11
Guest_exasperatus2002_*
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Posted 15 June 2014 - 06:39 PM
Here's my first clutch I'm trying to rear. Unlike my bnd's, none of the fathead fry escape my community tanks denizens. These fry hug the bottom where as bnd fry go top side and I have no top lever fish in my 55.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Attached Images
Edited by exasperatus2002, 15 June 2014 - 06:40 PM.
#12
Guest_smatthew_*
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Posted 16 June 2014 - 07:07 PM
Beyond that please mind your own business Erica.
Skipjack - that's not really appropriate.
#13
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 16 June 2014 - 07:33 PM
I will certainly take that into consideration.
#14
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 17 June 2014 - 08:52 PM
Y'all just don't know...I feel you, Matt 
Anyway, DO keep us posted on the fathead fry! Especially if they like those golden pearls
Anyway, DO keep us posted on the fathead fry! Especially if they like those golden pearls
#15
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 18 June 2014 - 07:06 AM
It's Okay Martin. I probably deserved that. I was particularly frustrated at the time, and was a bit harsh. Some changes have taken place since then and my forum stress level is much lower. I will be able to remain much more patient from here on out.
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