Grow out tank for baby maroons

JoeW · #1 07/12/2005, 11:58 AM

I have approximately 75 baby maroon clowns in a 10 gal tank. They are 4 weeks old and are now on flake food.

1. Do I have to move them to a larger tank?

2. If so, when should I do this?

3. How should I do it?

Thanks

rhdoug · #2 07/12/2005, 05:16 PM

I have only raised one batch, and am far from a pro, but IME they will begin killing one another unless you separate them soon. I went from about 50 to 4 in no time. Shame on me. Maybe adding some more cover like plastic plants, pvc elbows, etc will help.

JoeW · #3 07/13/2005, 08:42 AM

Thanks, Randy:

When you refer to "separating them," do you mean simply putting them in a larger tank? Or are you suggesting reducing the numbers of fish per tank, regardless of its size? How many juveniles can be successfully raised in what size tank?

Joe

David M · #4 07/13/2005, 09:33 AM

OK I thought by now the experts would step up

I can only parrot back what I have read & heard but I think the idea is to go the other way, IOW crowd them rather than give them more space. Theory of dispersed aggression and all that. The ten gallon tank is too big , not too small . You can use a divider to reduce the growout area while maintaining water volume.

rhdoug · #5 07/13/2005, 10:11 AM

My next attempt was going to be seperating them into small acrylic containers inside a larger tank when they begin showing signs of aggression... I did that with 2 of my 4 surviviors in a 10 gal tank. (2 swimming free and 2 in "jail"). That seemed to work ok. I need to refresh myself from the Wilkerson book to see if she has any tips before I try again. I personally wouldn't be able to keep a smaller (than 10 gallon) tank's water parameters up to par with that many fish in it, it is all I can do to keep the 10 gal clean.

David M · #6 07/13/2005, 11:20 AM

Agreed, the bigger the tank the better, but that does not mean you can't concentrate the fry into a small area with a divider, "in tank" refugium, basket, whatever.
Since you have Joyce's book, check page 215 starting with "Hanging Breeder Baskets".

rhdoug · #7 07/13/2005, 12:40 PM

Right, David M, and thanks for the page number.

David M · #8 07/13/2005, 04:23 PM

I usually stop by page 147 on my way, it's a long story but it's all Edgars fault

Armando · #9 07/13/2005, 08:26 PM

those baskets in the tank really look like McDonalds french fries in the making

Or should I say "fryes"