Moving Baby fish

[AnotherWoogie]

So, I have about 15 baby bettas that are about 1/4 in long. Next week, I have spring break. I'm leaving all my adult bettas here with some food tablets that should last a week, but what should I do for the babies? Should I leave food tablets in there for them and hope they survive? Or should I attempt to take them on the 3-hour trip back home in Dallas?  I think both ways are dangerous and I really don't know what to do, so any advice would be great.


Btw, they are 4 weeks old (born Feb 2) if that helps with anything. Right now their diet consists of microworms and BBS

[Mzungu]

Re: Moving Baby fish

If it was me, I would skip the tablets for the adults (they can go without food for a week) and take the babies with me. Unless you have a tank full of infusoria or something?

Where are the babies currently living?

[AnotherWoogie]

Re: Moving Baby fish

You sure about the adults? I'd really hate to starve them for that long :(  I understand, though because all the adults are in vases and they're used to getting 2-3 water changes a week


The babies are in a 10 gal aquarium with gravel, some larger stones, an almond leaf that's been there for awhile, and some plants.  Are you sure it's safe to move them?  Should I move them in a bucket or in the 10 gal?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Moving Baby fish

They can go a long time without food...

I would leave them all alone....maybe culture some foods for the babies and leave it for them.

[dblondfemme]

Re: Moving Baby fish

me personally.....
I would take them all home.  I would drain the 10 gal to about 1 inch of water and carry it home.  The two adults I would put into smaller containers (like the ones they sell them in...they could actually sit in the 10 gall in a corner in their little cups)  
I'm sure others have better opinions...this is just what I would do...
Alternative..
Leave the adults...clean the vases before you leave and feed them what you normally would before you leave so as not to create more waste in the water.
Take the little ones home in like a pickle jar.... in their tank water.

[AnotherWoogie]

Re: Moving Baby fish

What kind of food can I culture for the babies that would last the week?


Also, the reason I'm worried about taking the babies home is because of stress (I'd have to bring them back after the week) and I'd be scared of them being squished over the trip back.

Let me know. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll think about taking the adults home, but I really think it's safer not to stress them out like that.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Moving Baby fish

I personally would leave them.

maybe get some moss from someone and let them feed off the stuff in that.

[Zulaab]

Re: Moving Baby fish

I am going to agree with EK.. get a ball of moss that has gotten some time to sit and dump it in there.  The young will find all the nutrients they need from a good ball.  I if need to be go down and get some frozen BBS or something like that and power feed them for the days coming up to the trip.   Then with the big ball of moss in there.. they will all survive I am pretty sure of it.

Where is Phishphreek, he should be able to answer this :) :) :) :) :)

[AnotherWoogie]

Re: Moving Baby fish

The only balls of moss around here are at Petco...is there anything I need to do to purify it for my babies? This is my first batch of betta fry, so I really want to leave them.


I'll try the frozen brine, I think they're big enough now, I just don't want to come back to a bunch of dead babies :(

[Zulaab]

Re: Moving Baby fish

They can last for a while without food.. do you have any plants right now ?  Because if you have plants there will be small critters they can live off for the week.  I would power feed them on some frozen food so they will last for days without even having to look for food..

[Mzungu]

Re: Moving Baby fish

Well, if the babies are all in a 10g, that's great. I thought they were in a separate, small container or something. You said there were plants in there, what kind? And I agree, moss really is one of the better plants to use for this purpose, just because it has a lot of places in which little critters can live. Do you have any moss in other tanks, or do you know anyone who has any to spare? Has the almond leaf started to decay? Have you moved it recently? If it's in the tank, there might be some little things living under it that the babies can eat.

Sorry, just a couple more questions, what does the moss look like at Petco? Does it look healthy? What kind is it, if you know?

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Moving Baby fish

I 'Might' be able to get some Christmas Moss sent to the Napa Auto Parts in College station. I dont suppose you know anyone who works there already? That way i can address the package to them.

[AnotherWoogie]

Re: Moving Baby fish

I guess I should've let y'all know what kind of plants I have.

I have java moss tied to some driftwood, the almond leaf has been in there for over a month and it looks a little soft (should I take it out?) and the babies like to hang out around it, some java fern, and one other, but I'm not sure what it is. All of the plants have been in this specific tank since December. When should I start power feeding? I'll be leaving on Friday afternoon, so should I feed them Thursday and Friday with the frozen brine?


Thank y'all so much for all this!!!

[AnotherWoogie]

Re: Moving Baby fish

Oh! And about the moss at Petco - I never trust them...and if the java moss is good enough, I'd much prefer that. And thanks Browns for offering to send me some moss - I'm really hoping to not have to introduce anything else to these babies (not that your stuff would be contaminated or anything) because they're SUPER important to me - first batch and all :)

[Fire_chair]

Re: Moving Baby fish

Power feeding tends to lead to power pooping, which leads to poor water quality. I would power feed up until a few days before you leave, then cut back to normal, and do a large water change right before you leave.