Help!

Swords and Mollies

Three of my last batch of Swordtail fry are missing. I saw two of them lying around at the bottom of the tank earlier today. I think I may be feeding them too much. Looks like there is alot of food and/or crap all over the rocks. I changed almost half of their water today, in case it was getting nasty. The 5-one month old swords, the two and a half week old molly, and the other one and a half week old sword seem fine. What should I do, if anything? Besides cut back on the amount of food I was giving them at a time. Would putting a pleco in with them help? Do they eat extra food of the bottom or would he eat them?

Oldman47

I would not trust a pleco with any very young Swordtail or similar small fry. A pleco is not the peaceful vegetarian that they are often thought to be.

DragonFish

I agree on the Pleco note.
But to my understanding WCs should be preformed daily on fry tanks and the fry should be fed smaller amounts 3-4 times per day for best results.....thats what I've read, never kept a fry only tank myself though.

Swords and Mollies

Thank you for your input. Not discounting what I said earlier, but I wonder if it could have anything to do with them being born only 2 and half weeks after the first batch. Is it possible they were born premature b/c of the warm weather here of late. I've tried to keep the water temps below 80, but hadn't suceeded 100%.

1077

Should not be food and crap laying on the bottom of the tank. Usually vaccuming the gravel during weekly water changes will prevent this,along with not overfeeding. Adult fish will eat baby fish if kept together. Some fry will survive and some won't.A tiny pinch of food for young fry twice to three times a day is recommended. I'm talkin bout a dime size amount in the palm of your hand. Crush it or grind it up into almost a powder. then feed a portion of this amount to the fish. when it is consumed,, feed a little tiny bit more. If these baby fish are in the same tank as adults, then plenty of artificial hiding areas should be added. Plants,rocks,wood,etc taking care that they are safe for the aquarium.While mollies and guppies appreciate warmer water the swordtails would prefer cooler temps.

rachelrabbit210

i would take the pleco out :)

Swords and Mollies

I never put him in. All the last batch disappeared/died. The older five and the molly are still fine though. I wonder if they were premature. There was only 2 and a half weeks between them and the others. Same mom.