Gouramis Breeding

[Abbeys_Mom]

My Dwarf Gouramis are breeding. The Male has an impressive bubble nest in the corner of my tank. I have a problem though. I have Kribs in my tank. How am I supposed to move the fry. I can't move the other fish, but I have a 2.5g I can put the fry in. My Betta would be fine in the 27g for a week or so. The gouramis have been laying eggs for 2 hours now. I thought about putting a divider in, but I imagine the fry will be tiny and I wouldn't be able to get a perfect seal. Any ideas?

[Abbeys_Mom]

CRUMBS!!! (trying not to swear). This is the worst possible timing. I was getting ready to set up a divider for the gouramis when it occurded to be that I am leaving on Tuesday for 4 days. There will be no one here to feed the fry. I don't know if I should move them to their own tank anyway, or leave them in the main tank. Is it better to starve to death, or get eaten? I feel horrible that I can't help them :(

[Drumachine09]

You can buy one of those seven day feeders. Its worth a shot, right?

[Abbeys_Mom]

I'm Mad! NUTS! I am actually considering putting the fry (when they hatch) in a .5g plastic tank and bringing them with me. If I was leaving a day earlier or coming home a day sooner, they would be fine on their own.

[Drumachine09]

I'm Mad! NUTS! I am actually considering putting the fry (when they hatch) in a .5g plastic tank and bringing them with me. If I was leaving a day earlier or coming home a day sooner, they would be fine on their own.
Is there anyone staying home? or is there anyone you trust with your house key?

[Abbeys_Mom]

I have no family here anymore, except my Mom. Last time she was in to feed the cat, she locked us out by locking the wrong bolt on the door. She would have no idea how to feed them and I am not comfortable risking my fish :)

[Drumachine09]

I have no family here anymore, except my Mom. Last time she was in to feed the cat, she locked us out by locking the wrong bolt on the door. She would have no idea how to feed them and I am not comfortable risking my fish :)


Hmmmm. Well youre in quite the predicament. I would let them fend for themselves then.

[Abbeys_Mom]

Now, should I let them fend for themselves in the 27g, or move them to the 2.5? Keeping in mind I have Kribs in the 27g?
Or put in a divider?

[Drumachine09]

How small are the fry?

IF they are small enough for the betta to fit them i their mouth, i would use a divider and a 7 day feeder.

Can you take some pics? Im curious to see how they look.

[cocoa_pleco]

i'd say use a divider

[Abbeys_Mom]

Should I wait for the eggs to hatch or put it in now?

[Drumachine09]

Oh, they havent hatched yet?

I dont think it matters as to when you divide them up. The earlyer the better.

Also, it might help if you put an airstone near the eggs to keep them agitated so you have more eggs hatch and less get fungused. (<lol)

[cocoa_pleco]

separate them and throw in some pimafix or methelyne blue to prevent fungi.

[Abbeys_Mom]

Can't do an air stone. I have a bubble curtain in the tank, can divide it. I will try to get the divider in tonight.

[Drumachine09]

Can't do an air stone. I have a bubble curtain in the tank, can divide it. I will try to get the divider in tonight.

Aye.:thumb: sounds like a plan to me!

[Abbeys_Mom]

I separated them from the rest of the tank. My plexi glass divider didn't fit, so I scooped the whole nest into a breeding box. Most of the eggs hatched late yesterday. The fry are wiggling around a bit this morning.
I am leaving around 10 am, so I am hoping some will make it while I am gone. I should be back Saturday afternoon. The fry have some live plants in with them. They also have a few planaria that have housed themselves in the box.
The male gourami is still trying to tend to them through the bottom of the box, it's really cute. I am shocked how successful the pair was for their first try. My Kribs (a few years ago) ate their eggs the first few times. It's nice to see fish that can breed without tearing each other to ribbons. My male has a bite on his head, but only because he has been defending his nest from Kribs and loaches.