Maternity tank ideas.

[blainep]

I was trying to think up ideas for a maternity tank for some of my fry munching fish.

I had the thought of taking a 10 to 20ish gallon tank and putting in a false bottom about 3 or 4 inches off the bottom of the tank. Something with holes or slots in it similar to what you see in breeder traps.
Allowing fry to drop thru and keeping hungry mouths away.

The trouble is what material to use for the false bottom.
My initial thought was eggcrate, but I was thinking that the holes in eggcrate might be just large enough for a fish to try and fit thru and possibly injure themselves.

Maybe a layer of Java moss over the eggcrate ? Or maybe another material ?

Any thoughts or ideas out there ?

[Melody]

I do that all the time - dollar store laundry bags. They drape into the tank and there's a drawstring to tie around the outside edge. Great for brooders because you can simply untie the string, bunch the laundry bag around the female and lift her out - no chasing & stressing (which is best after a birth). Its a perfect temp. solution. You can even maneuver the bag off one side so you can vac under it if she's in there too long. It also lets fry escape to the sides as well as the bottom.

Then above the 'net' I have Java Moss and all sorts of floating stem plants. There's some plants under the net too, otherwise the fry will head for cover above the net. I usually use one of those sponge/media filters that suction cup to the side of the tank. If the net is too floaty you can weight it with a long rock on each side or small container with gravel in it... whatever comes to mind.

[blainep]

Another trip to the dollar store ....... :twitcy:

I'll see if I can find something this weekend.

[Katalyst]

I bought a few floating pond baskets from home depot, I siliconed river rocks to the top to weight it down and keep it on the bottom. The fry can dart in and out of the holes and away from hungry mouths, I also leave a smaller one floating and put a clump of java moss in it. It traps food and all sorts of snacks for the fry to munch on.

[PPulcher]

Fill it with guppy grass or hornwort. I mean really fill it top to bottom, front to back. A big mass of plants.

I was able to raise a couple of generations of Brachyraphis holdridgei that way. When I removed a bunch of the plant mass (to actually see the animals!) I saw no more fry.

[Melody]

They are some of the most cannibalistic non-aggressive livebearers out there :wideeyed: . I recommend densly planted like you've never seen densly planted before and a whole lot of praying for those...lol. Beautiful fish though, they're very showy in my tanks and not aggressive like a lot of Brachy's are.