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I have been raising angelfish fry, my new hobby, since last summer. I love doing it. They are fun and very challenge. I have included pictures of my babies and their status below.
8/29/99
1st and 2nd batch of fry failed, due to my inexperience. I had them in a 29 gallon tank (full water) with gravel (that's a BIG no-no) and I fed them the wrong kind. Also, I didn't have the sponge filter running at first. Me bad! See the picture below what I did stupid.
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Because of this, all babies (free swimming) died...couldn't get out of gravel once they went in, especially when they rested at night with light out. All disappeared within 3 days. This was my first batch. Yes, I was heartbroken. :o(
9/25/99
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That's what they looked like after hatching--except those white eggs that didn't make it.
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I managed to keep some 3rd alive. Those fry pictured above have continued to strive and are doing great.
9/16/99
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These are 4th fry. The best I could do with this picture right now.
Updated: 10/31/99
All but three had died. Transfered to a 29 gallon tank with 3rd fry. I had no choice. I think strong current had something to do with their death.
10/25/99
These angelfish babies are the only fry that manage to survive, considering the others that I had tried and failed for some reason. Those third fry are about 10 weeks old and look like mini angelfish now. Appox 50 babies.
I will continue to take pictures of my babies from time to time as they grow. Also, any other new fry that may come along.
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11/6/99
About 48 babies. I thought they'd be around 60, but I guess I was wrong. They kept moving and I couldn't count as fast as they swam. Even in picture, I still couldn't get them all because of some shadows.
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 3 months old (two close-up to show you how big they have grown) |
They are cute, aren't they? They are now 3 months old (except three of them that had been tranfered from other tank. I can't find them! lol They are all almost the same size as some older ones.)
I admit I didn't cull any fish that are runt or don't seem to have fins. I didn't have the heart to! But I did get rid of some deforms, though. I believe that they would still die later anyway and also they should not be with normal fish to prevent any disease that might arise. I will keep the runts in their own tank (possibly a 20 long gal) later and I want to get other 55 gal for older babies that are over 3 months old. The runts are still my babies...fins or no fins. Their home will be called "Fish Humane Tank". What if they breed, you may ask. Well, I will just throw the eggs away if they spawn. I don't believe you should breed any more deforms anyway.
12/8/99
Most that were runts or didn't seem to have fins at first look normal now and have caught up with others so I am thankful that I didn't cull at all! In my opinion, I think it is unnecessary to do that. The breeder who we bought the pair from told us it was not necessary.
Below are my babies:
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My babies always follow me wherever I go by their tank. Notice that they are on the right side above? That's where I am, sitting by my computer. Awwww
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That's what their home look like (a 29 gallon tank). I need to use a background, though. The filter is a cheap corner kind, but does a good job as long as the media is changed every few weeks plus gravel cleaning and water change every week. Do NOT use that filter for younger fry! It can suck them up because of their tiny size. I started using it when they were almost 2 months old...big enough not to be sucked into. Most breeders recommend sponge filters and I do agree. For this 29 gallon tank, you'd need at least two sponge filters, depending on what kind. I've seen one on net that I like and am going to purchase some soon.
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I think these 3 week old fry are going to make it this time. I decided to adjust the water flowing (sponge filter and airstone) as not to stress the babies out and it seemed to be working. I admit I didn't do water change every day with these ones, but I did every other day, and it seemed to suit them well--no stress for them this way. I know breeders might disagree with me. However, I thought I'd try a different way with these babies in order for them to feel comfortable. My water tap seems to bother younger babies a lot if I do water change every day, especially in their first couple weeks of life.
So many batches had failed for one reason or another, but I suspect it was because of a strong water current and too many water changes. Like I said, my water tap is something that seems to bother younger fry. A few times eggs were no good from the start--all white, even though I had used methylene blue. Also, a couple of times breeding angelfish spawned on filter tube instead of slate like they were supposed to. Pretty sneaky, huh? I tried to keep plant on the tube to prevent them from doing so, but it always floated away...or did they do that on purpose???
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I know the tank should have half water, but because of that sponge filter, the water needs to be above the tube. I just cleaned it up today and filled it. I added methylene blue as always. I need to find a tank cover for this. It is somewhere! I have a lot of fish stuff. I need some shelves that I can organize and put in.
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I'd love to let my breeding angelfish raise their babies by themselves. I'm pretty sure they'd make good parents, especially since they have been spawning many times so far and they are very protective, too. However, I'd need to get other tank (at least 40 gallons) for them with no gravel and with a sponge filter only. I think the fry probably would survive better with their parents that way. Yes, once in a while they'd eat their eggs, though. Well, maybe someday.
Updated: 06-01-07
I no longer have any fish or aquarium tanks. I had to leave home, due to personal problems, in 2004. I gave away a lot of fish things to my sister such as NoSpill water changer, nets, PH test kits, drift wood, artificial plants, etc. I also gave her my pleco and a few angelfish before I moved out.
I am thinking of having a 20 gallon long tank for my apartment and start having some fish again. I miss them! However, I don't think I will be able to raise babies from eggs again. It was a lot of work for me (I am in a wheelchair). I hope to find a good strong table that can support a tank and is low enough for me to reach, to do the water change and cleaning the filter from my chair with ease. I may want some fancy guppies and a couple of angelfish. Yes, I know guppies make babies! I can always give some that survive to my sister. She has many tanks.
