Fry releasal

[LtHorn]

hi, I have some guppy fry in my tank in a breading nest, im wondering how large should i let them get before i can take them out of the net and let them loose in the tank. currently they are a little over a centimeter in length. they are still skinny, and colorless if that helps.

LT

 

[dmdiver]

Same question

I've got platies in a net between 1/4 and 1/2 inch long. Tank has small bala sharks, platies & mollies. I am wondering the same thing -when is it safe to let them loose? Any answers for either of us?

 

[DormDweller]

A good rule is to let them get bigger than the biggest mouth in the tank. If they can't fit it in their mouth, they can't eat it. I usually wait about a month before I put my guppies with their parents. It's good to have a designated fry tank, if possible.

 

[bettagurl]

I've got platies in a net between 1/4 and 1/2 inch long. Tank has small bala sharks, platies & mollies. I am wondering the same thing -when is it safe to let them loose? Any answers for either of us?

how big of a tank do you have?
dormdweller is right,wait until they are bigger than the biggest mouth in the tank.

 

[dmdiver]

Mine is a 65 gallon planted tank. 6 platies are in the nursery. I saw 5 more in the tank - there was a 6th one a few days ago, but one of the balas ate it. There are 2 bala sharks, 4 platies, 4 mollies & 2 small plecos. The balas are the largest fish in the tank, but only 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Actually, my sailfin molly may be about that size as well. Anyway, we caught as many fry as possible (they're really quick). Then I finally gave up and decided that the ones left in the tank were too quick to catch and maybe too quick for the other fish to catch. Now I'm concerned because I just came home and my black dalmation molly is dead for no apparent reason. Boy, that was depressing.