How do you know...

[goldentiff]

when you are doing wc or vacuuming the gravel that you are not accidentally picking up any fry or ghost shrimp since its so hard to see them?

Everytime I clean the tank I panic that I might have gotten rid of a ghost shrimp or if my fish ever have fry (currently I think my platy is pregnant, I also think one the ADF might be).

Thanks in advance for any helpful hints.

 

[Emg]

Just take a good look in the bucket....(if you syphon into a bucket that is)......before you dump it. If you find something in there you can just net it back into the tank. That's what I do.

 

[goldentiff]

Tried that but its very,very hard to see fry not to mention "ghost" shrimp inside a bucket full of not completely clear water.

 

[sumthin fishy]

You can get a piece of pantyhose, or cheesecloth and tie it over the vacuum, but you wount get all the big chunks out as easy.

 

[ROLLIN]

What color is your bucket? A white bucket is the easiet IME to spot small fry in.

 

[sumthin fishy]

hehe, I have a few convict fry in my 55, there about 1/4 inch now. had one get sucked up, and as soon as he hit the tubing he swam back in the tank like I lightning bolt. Bet he never does that again

 

[YuccaPatrol]

Put a fish net on top of your bucket and run the hose through it as it goes into the bucket. Any living critter will be caught and can be returned to the tank.

 

[Emg]

Tried that but its very,very hard to see fry not to mention "ghost" shrimp inside a bucket full of not completely clear water.

If you have a light colored bucket and let the water sit for a bit so it can settle.....use something to slowly stir through the water (slowly, so you don't stir up the gunk)...you will see the fry or shrimp when they dart away from the object you're moving through the water.

 

[goldentiff]

My bucket is grey. I will try the hose in the bucket and hope it works.
Thanks.

 

[FreddytheFish]

I sucked up one of my neons once...

I agree with EMG. Just look in the bucket.