water changes and fry

[mrlimpet]

water changes and fry (video added)

a lot of folks say water changes should be increased when fry are present. some even advocate daily water changes.

would this still apply if water params are in the ideal range?

my 12G tank with 72-hour old bolivian ram fry has 7.0 ph, 0 ammonia/nitrites, and 20 nitrates. i typically do a 25%-33% water change once a week.

i don't see the need to increase my water changes even with the fry present. then again, i want to do whatever i can to ensure this batch survives and thrives.

so, do i need to step up the frequency of my water changes, or can i just stick with my normal weekly schedule?

 

[fishgeek]

the increased water changes , are i believe , more to do with the increased feedings

andrew

 

[Woody]

Increase the frequency of your water changes. Rather than a 25% WC weekly do a 10% a day. There are a number of reason to do this, the frst one is the increase in the biological load on the existing filter, you don't want to have an ammonia spike to wipe out your fry, they are very sensitive to this. Also the fry will grow faster and stronger with frequent water changes.
I personally raise all my fry seperate from the parents and do a 40% WC daily on each and every aquarium. They grow faster and stronger.

Congratulations on the fry and keep us posted.

Woody

 

[mrlimpet]

i just did a 25% water change and added some java moss even though the fry are not yet freeswimming. they hatched 3 1/2 days ago and are still being guarded by the parents when they're not being moved from pit to pit.

they appear to be healthy and vigorous but should they be freeswimming by now?

i will try the daily water changes of 10% and see how they progress.

thx for all your replys.

here's a short (less than 2 min) video of parents moving fry to a new sand pit.
slow connections beware... vid is 7 min.

Click here to watch bolivian fries. :wink: