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TheFishGuy presents . . .
Freshwater / Saltwater / Marine Messageboard -- There's Somethin' Fishy Goin' On Here!
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| Emperor Angelfish | Freshwater Angelfish | Protomelas Spilonotus | Clown Triggerfish |
| My Fish Are Eating The Babies -- What Should I Do? |
| © 2008-2011 Tropical Fish Forum / TheFishGuy Last Updated : April 20, 2011 |
| "My fish are eating the babies -- What should I do?!" This is the alarming cry that comes from so many shocked, new tropical fish hobbyists when they discover one day that one of their fish has released fry, or that hidden eggs have suddenly hatched, and the rest of the fish are swimming about in a frenzy, as they gobble up the baby fish on sight. Witnessing this can be quite disheartening for a novice fish-keeper, and their whole perspective regarding the tropical fish hobby can change in a moment, as they realize that violence is everywhere; even in their aquarium. To be honest, unless you are an experienced tropical fish hobbyist, and have a lot of time on your hands, there is little that you can do other than try to save some of the babies by scooping them up in a net, and placing them in a separate container such as a breeder trap or net, or even in an entirely different aquarium altogether. However, depending on the size of your aquarium, how much decor it contains, how many fish are in it, etc., you may suddenly realize that trying to catch all of those little fish before they are eaten by the other hungry fish is next to impossible. Not only will they be darting about, but they will also be dashing for cover in your aquarium's decor. In short, the only way to catch all of the surviving babies may be by actually removing all of the decor from your tank first. As I said, trying to catch baby fish can turn into quite a time-consuming affair. There is another factor which you must also consider: Assuming that you are able to save some of the babies from being eaten by the other fish, do you have the time, the means, the place and the proper knowledge to properly raise them to adulthood? The best way to avoid the above scenario where your fish are eating the babies is to simply educate yourself by conducting online research, reading books, etc., so that you will recognize beforehand when one of your female fish is pregnant, guarding eggs in a cave, or mouthbrooding. In this manner, you will anticipate the day -- or at least the week -- when the babies are too arrive, and you can make appropriate preparations for it, such as by placing the female in a separate tank or container. However, I should remind you again that taking this approach should be reserved for the experienced breeder who has the time and the dedication to attend to such matters. One final obvious way to prevent your fish from eating the babies is simply to have no female fish in the aquarium to start out with. Of course, even this will require that you possess certain knowledge, or that you know a reputable fish dealer who can steer you in the right direction -- and I am not talking about a chain store sales clerk in a large department store that has a small pet section. I wish you the best,
TheFishGuy
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