becc4 Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 I have about 40 x week old dwarf gourami fry in a 20L tank with a sponge filter. There is some java moss and floating weed in there, bare bottom. The sides of the tank are starting to get a little algae on them, and the bottom too, I really really want to clean the tank, but do not want to risk losing the fry - their mother died so I am hoping to be able to replace her from this lot. I'm even too scard to syphon water because they are so tiny. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Congrats on the spawn 8) Adding snails to the tank will prevent uneaten food from building up. To get rid of algae, simply wipe it off the glass. To do a partial water change what you can do is use airline tubing, then put a net at the end of it, so if you do accidently catch a few babies you'll be able to return them to the tank quickly I flick the air tube around a few cm in each direction to scare the fry away, but often 1 or 2 are too curious :roll: Remember with young fry, when replacing the water to make sure its the same temp and to add the water slowly. I'm not sure if water changes on week old Gouramis are a good idea or not, the above advice is just what I use for cichlid fry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becc4 Posted February 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Thanks spidersweb. Yeah this is the first experience with fry this small, at least the guppy and severum fry I have had before were a little bigger and I was able to miss them when cleaning. I will add some snails and that should make a little difference. Thanks again for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawi_man Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 I find that most fry will get out of the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Use a magnetic cleaner for the front and snails for the bottom. As Spider says, syphon the water into a fine net, kept in water, and return the wanderers later to the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 why do you want to get rid of the algae Its not a bad thing to have in the tank unless it starts dieing off Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hi, with my fighter fry I use an airline and put my hand in with my fingers right by the open end and sort of use my finger as a leading guide to where I am going to suction - just gives the tiny fry a warning that something is coming. I suction into a clear container and if I suck them up, when I have finished put them back. To clean algae off the glass I use a small piece of filter wool and give it a wipe, just be careful the fry don't get between the wool and glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becc4 Posted March 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 THanks everyone. I wanted to get rid of the algae in the front glass, because I like to be able to see them darting around - I'm still getting a buzz from watching the slightly larger than comma size things in the tank. I had tried scraping it off, but the fry kept hanging around my hand. Will hunt out some air tubing and give it a go on the weekend - they are going so fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserole Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 Gourami fry are pigs, as they grow you will see. It is also good food for them so only remove what you need to, the rest is food for the little fish they will pick at it when hungry and your not home to feed them. It will also help to keep the water free of fish waste by using it to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Hi Congrats with the spawning. :lol: The best food you can give your newly hatched fry is GREEN WATER; the greener the betta; :oops: LEAVE THE ALGAE IN THE TANK UNTIL THE FRY HALF REACHED AT LEAST SIX WEEKS and their "Labyrinth" has developed. IN OTHER WORDS ........KEEP YOUR STICKY PAWS OUT OF THE TANK FOR THE FIRST SIX WEEKS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becc4 Posted March 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Whoops :oops: logged on here too late...no fear still a little algae on the back glass. I figured that they would be grazing on what was in the tank. Will leave things alone from now on (well atleast until they are much bigger). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Hi becc4 I wasn't complaining but IMO and experience it is best to leave newly hatched ANABANTID FRY well alone until they are at least six weeks old. The most CRITICAL TIME for them now is from their third to the sixth week. Leave any Algae in the tank and add about 250ml of GREEN WATER, ( the greener the better) TWICE a DAY; Morning and Night. After about seven days you can try giving them a taste of "NEWLY HATCHED" Brine Shrimp. Dont worry if they keep dying; (it's sad) but they are very hard to get started, and once they overcome the hurdles of their first 6 weeks then get extra Tanks ready for thinning them out. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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