Swordtail Fry w/pics

[190MPH]

When I got home yesterday, I noticed that my Swordtail had gotten huge and that her belly was flat on the bottom, so I put her in a breeder trap last night(Lee's, negative review to follow). Apparently I've gotten good at recognizing this, because she had them last night thumbs2: ! She may still have more this morning because she still seems a bit "portly". There seemed to be about 12-16 fry in there this morning. Unfortunately, to my dismay, the so called "baby saver" plate in the bottom of the trap didn't do what it claims. There are gaps in the plate around the slots it slides down on. These are big enough for the fry to fall through to the bottom of the trap which is slotted for water flow, which they then fall through into the main tank becoming an early breakfast for the others. I was able to find a flat piece of plastic to slide down in on the small side of the trap and save 4 or 5 fry. Here are some pics of mom and a couple of the remaining fry. In the first one, lower right corner, you may be able to see the gap I was referring to.

[Jaster]

How do you have the fry saver plate placed? from the pic it looks like it's under the saver tank? That plate should be inside the saver tank. I have a few of these and they work great. The fry fall through the grate and into the bottom of the box. That way mom cant get to them through the waterflow slots.

[Eileen]

I had a breeder box. I got rid of it because it stressed out the mom. I to had a gap on the side of the box that the babies would get out. The gap was for water to fill up inside the box. I put aquarium sealer over the gap. You can cut a peice of a plastic milk jug and put that over the gap. I had a problem with this as the babies were able to get between this. I now just have alot plants in the main tank for cover. After the momma fish is done having the babies If I want to keep them I fish them out and put them is a cycled 2 1/2 gal table tank with a filter and heater. I also have a breeder net that fits inside a tank that I like.
Good Luck on raising the babies :fish: :fish: :fish:
really nice pics of the babies!

[190MPH]

Jaster, yes the plate is inside, but the slots are too big where it slides down. That is where they are slipping through, as Eileen had the same problem I see. Unfortunately, I'm down to 2 fry now. Apparently more escaped somehow. Mom has been released back into the tank. After this episode, I'm going to silicone it together for the next time.

[thrakuarium]

I looked at that particular breeder box and decided against it for a few reasons, the slotting being one of them. Another option may be the one I took. I bought a breeder net. The net slips over a frame you assemble. There is no separation of mom from fry, but mom should go back to the main environment asap anyway. I have 3 adopted fry in my net, 2 platys and 1 molly and I have no concerns about them getting out.