Calling all fish owners! Is this Tetra going to lay eggs? Edit: Solved

[Poultrybonkers]

I figured. Those were in the tank when I purchased it from the Craigslist person, so I've been trying to milk them along. They seem to do better when I remember to add root tabs, though they are bearly making it.
I didn't actually plan to have baby fish, but when I noticed it looked like she was carrying eggs I figured I'd put the research in and see if it was something I wanted to try. Your tank looks awesome!

I have a hard time keeping plants alive except apparently java moss its in all my tanks lol

 

[Weeg]

I have a hard time keeping plants alive except apparently java moss its in all my tanks lol

Totally! Theres one species of moss that goes wild in my tank. No idea what it is or how it got there, but I'm always removing some and moving it around, it seems to do great!

 

[Tonyroo]

Interesting. If they have places to hide, the other fish wont eat them? I feel like it would be a neat experience to raise them if it isn't to difficult, though I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

I have an under gravel filter. I'm not sure which one that would categorize in.

I think it's considered a semi biofilter cause there's no additives to it.

When she does have babies they just need a semi dense vegetation area to stay safe from the other fish in the tank.

You probably shouldn't do any filter cleaning if you have babies in the tank for a while.

You can do a weekly 10% water change to keep the ammonia levels in check. If you have live plants in the tank they will absorb the rest of the dissolved bio matter.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Most tetra eggs are actually fertilized AFTER the eggs are laid. The males would have to be present usually when she lays the eggs. You could try breeding mops. The fish lay and fertilize the eggs in the mop and it protects the eggs until they hatch. But most offspring would be eaten anyway most likely. Really not worth it unless you are trying to breed intentionally.

Parasites and disease can also cause bloating.

Under-gravel filters are really the least effective filtering system for aquariums and just about anything is better. But high ammonia could have to do with over stocking. I missed how many fish you have on what size tank.

Most of the time the biggest issue with growing aquatic plants is that most standard tank lighting will not be sufficient.

 

[tripletfeb]

Yes, but they sell larger ones too. Go to the store to see, they have all the way up to 50 gallons. You could try putting the female in something like this, it hangs on the inside of your current tank so there is no need for a new tank. Then when she lays, the fry are in there and safe from the other fish. Assuming she won't eat them. You would have to feed the fry if you did this way. I would just crumble flakes up really small, it's what I did. Remove the female after she lays

 

[tripletfeb]

Ooo, that could work! Thank you! I'll definitely look into that, and the filter.
Would the fry be able to stay in that for their whole lives? Assuming not, but for how long could they stay there? How many will she lay? If I can't find them all homes, we have a local fish store that may take them. I'll have to ask, I'm pretty sure she does.

I would order the largest you can. They won't stay in that forever, just until they get big enough to go with the other fish. I have no idea how many she will lay, I've only ever bred cichlids. It's a stretch that they will even live but worth a shot. I never thought my cichlids would live but they were so successful that I got another tank going just for the babies

 

[Weeg]

I would order the largest you can. They won't stay in that forever, just until they get big enough to go with the other fish. I have no idea how many she will lay, I've only ever bred cichlids. It's a stretch that they will even live but worth a shot. I never thought my cichlids would live but they were so successful that I got another tank going just for the babies

Will do! Thanks so much for the help, I'll get the largest one. Worth a shot right? If I needed to I could always setup another tank as they grew if I thought I needed it. Plus, after I found homes for the fry I could get more fish, I've got nothing against that. I'll get the separation pen in a large, and give it a shot. I'm also going to order that filter too. I found one on Amazon. I would get it in store, but don't really feel like adding another stop to the list when we got to town next week. Plus it will arrive faster if I order, than if I get it next week.
Thanks for the help!

 

[tripletfeb]

Will do! Thanks so much for the help, I'll get the largest one. Worth a shot right? If I needed to I could always setup another tank as they grew if I thought I needed it. Plus, after I found homes for the fry I could get more fish, I've got nothing against that. I'll get the separation pen in a large, and give it a shot. I'm also going to order that filter too. I found one on Amazon. I would get it in store, but don't really feel like adding another stop to the list when we got to town next week. Plus it will arrive faster if I order, than if I get it next week.
Thanks for the help!

Just remember, on the filter, the cartridge needs to be replaced once a month so you have to get a filter that has easy to find cartridge replacements. Hence why I go the Walmart route, easy for me to go buy the cartridges when I need to

 

[Weeg]

Just remember, on the filter, the cartridge needs to be replaced once a month so you have to get a filter that has easy to find cartridge replacements. Hence why I go the Walmart route, easy for me to go buy the cartridges when I need to

Got it. I'm sure Amazon has the cartridges, but I'll check my local PetSmart too. I'd rather not order them every time. I'm planning on going there next week for more live plants.

I've never used an over the tank filter, which is probably obvious. What do you have to do manage it, other than change cartridges? When I make the switch, can I just take the tubes etc off the under gravel filter, and leave the plastic grate that sits under the gravel? I feel like if I have to take that out its going to be really dirty. Rustle up a lot of gunk in the gravel.

 

[tripletfeb]

Got it. I'm sure Amazon has the cartridges, but I'll check my local PetSmart too. I'd rather not order them every time. I'm planning on going there next week for more live plants.

I've never used an over the tank filter, which is probably obvious. What do you have to do manage it, other than change cartridges? When I make the switch, can I just take the tubes etc off the under gravel filter, and leave the plastic grate that sits under the gravel? I feel like if I have to take that out its going to be really dirty. Rustle up a lot of gunk in the gravel.

Yeah, that would be messy. No need to remove it. There is beneficial bacteria in that gravel that you will mess up if you remove it so just leave it. Over tank filters are super easy to maintain. Pretty much, just change the cartridge once a month. When you go to start it, it just plugs in and starts, no power button. Just make sure to put some water in the filter, so it doesn't run dry for the few seconds it takes to start up