Help me understand fish breeding...

[Aquarist77]

Hi all,

This may seem like an odd question, but I've read a lot online and can't quite find the answer I'm looking for.

Most people WANT their fish to breed so that they can stock their next tank, so they recommend feeding live foods and doing particular things to the tank to encourage fish to breed.

I don't have the means (or equipment) to deal with little eggs, so I'm wondering if by NOT doing these things, I am lessening the likelihood that my fish will breed?

My main reason for asking is that out of my 7 pristella tetras, 2 have become pretty good friends and are always together.

Also, if I do wake up to eggs everywhere one morning, what should I do about it? I don't have another tank to move anyone around.

Looking forward to some insight...

 

[happypoet]

They'd probably eat any fry that happened to hatch before they were even noticeable.
If somehow you ended up with sub-adults, you could give them to a local fish store.

 

[fishycat]

:iagree: if you have a lot of cover/plants, some may survive, but the fish will snack on eggs & wigglers.

 

[Ratlova30]

I agree, just leave the eggs where they lay and chance are they won't survive.

 

[user_name]

pristella tetras are really nice fish. I wouldn't worry about them breeding, because even if they do, its near impossible for fry to survive into adulthood without you feeding and protecting them.

 

[Aquarist77]

Thanks for all of the quick replies. Sounds like its unlikely to be a problem, although I feel somewhat guilty for allowing all of the fry to be eaten!! haha

 

[Industrial]

If you don't want your fish to breed, do not get livebearers or convicts.

 

[Aquarist77]

good to know - I almost bought a female swordtail last week to go with my male since I wanted 2 but didn't want 2 males to fight.

 

[Ballyhoo]

my convicts spawned and i'm gonna let some live and put the rest in the tank to be food for the other fish...if some happen to survive the big fish then I feel they deserve to live.

 

[Jill-O]

I don't honestly understand why so many fish keepers want to breed their fish, but that's their call. It's hard for me to find the desire because I believe if you're breeding animals, you should have a purpose beyond just making more. Even with fish... My husband and I breed horses and for us, we wouldn't breed two horses if we didn't think the foal would be exceptional. If you're not improving on something, to my way of thinking, why do it? BUT, it's good for me that other people do breed fish I suppose, because if not, I wouldn't have any fish in my tanks