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Generally speaking, what all is needed for a "fry" tank? Tank, heater, airstone? Anything else?

I suppose it could depend on the type of fish, and if so, the type in question is Angelfish, but what about other types, too?

"I am a believer in punctuality, though it makes me very lonely" EV Lucas

Heater, thermometer and air driven sponge filter. No decorations or substrate as this cube is strictly a nursery for growing minute fish (fry) that require heavy doses of food to thrive. A bare bottom tank gives you the chance to do frequent water changes and tank cleanings due to the level of feeding and quantity of fish.

You may want to add a source of newly hatched brine and/or a means of breeding a sustained population of daphnia to your list for angelfish.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

For hatching the eggs, you might wish to add methylene blue or acriflavine or other antifungal agent to your list. You should do regular WCs. On wigglers and fry, I find a length of airline with a section of rigid tubing at the tank end serves admirably as a mini siphon.

After the eggs have hatched and WCs have removed the majority of the meth blue, remove the airstone and replace with a finepore sponge filter, preferably already "seeded" with good bacteria from running in a healthy tank.

AFter the fry are freeswimmin, you will need ample grow out space if you wish to produce quality angelfish. Even if you maintain continuous fresh water flow, if you overcrowd angels, you will get runty looking fish as the dominant individuals will shear the finnage off the less dominant fish. You can find lots of great detailed info, plus a stocking density chart (which will give you a good idea of space requirements) at Steve R's site http://www.angelsplus.com/breeding.htm

An average spawn for my fish was about 350 fry. I had one pair that I sold who threw 530 fry on their maiden spawn.

For other species of fry, other items can prove of great value. A nice big clump of java moss provides a continuous munch bar for many species of fry (esp the very tiny ones) that eat the infusorians that live on the moss.

Some fry will require microfoods for the first little while.

Cory freeswimmers ought to be kept over a very thin layer of fine smooth sand to prevent bacterial attack of their fins. Their activity over the sand will constantly scour the bottom clean of bacteria. Do not suddenly increase water depth on cory fry as they are very sensitive to pressure changes.

Some species require a cover over the fry tank to maintain warm air temperature, esp laybrinth breathers. A cover can prevent "jumper" losses - even tiny fry can prove to be amazingly talented jumpers.

well with bettas anyways, a bare bottom tank, heater, low power sponge filter, a few live plants.

Thanks for the response, guys. Much appreciated!

"I am a believer in punctuality, though it makes me very lonely" EV Lucas

A Heater & a Filter. Maybe you can add an airstone, but i wouldn't add any gravel. Leave the bottom, bare.


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