Breeding Feeder Fish?

[maria]

I was looking through some of the old posts and I saw a few people mention that they breed their feeder fish. I was curious if this is worth the effort?

I like to give mine an occasional feeder fish treat (usually guppies that I've quarantined for a few weeks), I love watching the axies acting all predatory with them. So I thought maybe I could breed the guppies so I would save myself the hassle of having to go out and buy them and then quarantine them. But before I tried it, I wanted to get the opinions of people here with experience.

 

[brian]

It depends on how much effort you want to put in. Breeding guppies is dead simple, but it's another tank to clean.

 

[cynthia]

Guppies multiply very fast. If you don't have another outlet for the fry, you can end up with too many guppies. You can separate males from females. But females can keep producing fry for months after they have been with a male.

I keep guppies in my frog tank so the frogs can catch the occasional guppy fry. I give guppies away all the time because the frogs can't catch all the fry produced.

For axolotls I find it's easier to give them an occasional small piece of raw salmon or what ever fish I am preparing for dinner rather than giving them an occasional feeder fish.

 

[maria]

I will definitely give this some thought. I was not sure how easily they would reproduce and figured I could give some away or cull some to prevent overpopulation. I have several spare tanks, it's just a question of whether I want to bother with it or not. Thanks for the advice

 

[brian]

Excess babies can usually be gotten rid of easily. Pet stores will take them, or better yet, other people who need live feeders. If you know anyone with piranas, etc., you can give your extra fish to them.

(Message edited by brian on March 08, 2005)

 

[cody]

Can we have pirhanas in oz

 

[debbie]

Cody

Piranas are illegal in Australia.

Maria

Food for thought for you from a breeder:

You were talking about breeding guppies for feeders. Another option is convict cichlids. They are just as easy, if not easier to breed than guppies. They are egg layers and will look after the eggs and fry until you are ready for them. If you want a continual supply, siphon the fry out a week after they become free swimming, and put them into another tank. The adults will breed again straight away.
Convicts also grow faster than guppies, and if you get too many just stop feeding them, they'll eat each other and solve the problem for you. lol

I've been feeding our latest convict brood to my newest purchase, a 3" white albino axie. He/she loves them. Unfortunately my two adults have become lazy and won't touch anything that isn't put right infront of them. I'm trying to avoid it happening to this one.