View Full Version : Opinions, please?
So here's the deal. My 16 swordtail fry are growing quickly. I am going to be getting a 180 gallon tank for christmas, so the idea is to use some livebearers for the oscars that will inhabit that tank. In the meantime though, the fry are going to quickly outgrow their current 10 gallon setup. So, what to do? I was thinking about getting dual 20 gallon long tanks to be able to use them as "grow-out" tanks and to separate the ladies from the gents to avoid having 10,000 fry. I could then use the 10 gallon to breed them and transfer to the 20s. Any opinions on this plan-in-the-works?
Lady Hobbs
06-03-2007, 04:16 PM
If you already have so many you don't know what to do with them, why allow them to keep breeding? LOL You could put the boys in one tank and the girlies in the other. I would also ask the fish store if they wanted to buy some from you.
PS......I do like those 20 gallon longs tho! I eyeball them everytime I go to town!
I didn't complete my though, opps. The idea is to feed some of the swords to the oscars as a treat. No, I wouldn't let them keep breeding now, but when the 180 comes then I would periodically start the process.
I'll have to check with the LFS to see if they would buy or trade for them, good idea.
Lady Hobbs
06-03-2007, 04:40 PM
Feed them to your oscar! Meanie.
Up to you, if you want to look after them. The good thing about raising your own feeders is that you know they're healthy. I also think you're better off NOT feeding goldfish to Oscars...too fatty...
BUT I have mixed feelings about feeders...you can successfully rear Oscars without feeding them other fish...I've watch terrified goldfish desparately trying to escape from being eaten and found it rather upsetting (yes, I know it's the 'way of things')...although others find it entertaining...
...maybe it's because I'm such a goldfish fan...
If you want to feed them some live food as a treat...they relish crickets, and are insectivores in the wild as well...
Good information. I know oscars don't need feeder fish, but I do think that trying to replicate their natural diet is a good idea. I didn't know they were insectivores though, I'll definitely try that.
I don't know, maybe I won't end up feeding them to the oscars, its just a thought now.
Lady, I am not a meanie. So there. My wife does have a few names she calls me every now and then, but they are a little more explicit than meanie!
Drumachine09
06-03-2007, 05:52 PM
Its the circle of life. Theres nothing wrong with using feeders. Its the food chain at its best.
That's what I am thinking at this point, but my wife and daughter may freak out, so we shall see. I think it will be pretty interesting.
Lady Hobbs
06-03-2007, 06:24 PM
You have to balance nature some way and we can't have 40 tanks so we do what we have to do.
Drumachine09
06-03-2007, 06:25 PM
You have to balance nature some way and we can't have 40 tanks so we do what we have to do.
Oscars - Natures little garbage disposals.
Lady, who says we can't have 40 tanks!!! :hmm3grin2orange:
Drumachine09
06-03-2007, 06:28 PM
Lady, who says we can't have 40 tanks!!! :hmm3grin2orange:
Your wife.......lol
Well, true. Very true. Although I do all of the maintenance, she only helps with the feeding.
...if we're talking 'natural' live foods...
...keep in mind goldfish are not remotely natural food for Oscars...unless someone DID manage to dig a hole throught to China...
LOL! Too funny, makes me think of the...I think its a Dodge commercial where the SUV plows through the earth all the way to China? Funny stuff.
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