[pdandy88]

Hi all! I have a plan to breed my lithobates and need some suggestions regarding the setup of fry/growout tanks in addition to my 75 gallon that houses my breeding colony of soon to be 12 O. Lithobates. I would like to know what size tanks are good fry tanks, what size heaters, what filtration (just sponge filters?).

As of now I have 3 lithobates in my 75 gallon tank with 5 small clown loaches and a large albino chocolate pleco. I am waiting to hear from my LFS's supplier to see when the rest of my fish will be in. I plan on 12 total ( a species only tank.) They are still small, so I believe I have some time to get my plans together for a breeding program. I currently have in my possession a 38 gallon tank which I would like to use as a grow-out tank/recovery tank for the holding females. I am considering placing two 10-15gallon tanks on a stand above the 38 for fry tanks. I think that sponge filters will be enough for these small tanks. (someone please correct me if I am wrong) I will use two HOB's for the 38. If anyone has any suggestions or tips or better ideas please let me know. I am new to african cichlids and can use all the help I can get!

 

[dielikemoviestars]

I'm curious: what do you plan on doing with all your fry?
If you have 12 total, let's assume that's 2m:10f, since you won't want more than 2m (might not even want 2...). Once your colony hits maturity, that's 10x20-30+ eggs every couple months. So we're talking, conservatively, 100-200 fry per month.
You'll need more than a single 38g tank, is what I'm getting at. You'll likely want at least 3-4 grow-out tanks for fry, plus another large (100+) for your juvis until they reach selling length. And for the ones you can't sell when you saturate the market in your area

 

[GoofBoy]

I'm curious: what do you plan on doing with all your fry?
If you have 12 total, let's assume that's 2m:10f, since you won't want more than 2m (might not even want 2...). Once your colony hits maturity, that's 10x20-30+ eggs every couple months. So we're talking, conservatively, 100-200 fry per month.
You'll need more than a single 38g tank, is what I'm getting at. You'll likely want at least 3-4 grow-out tanks for fry, plus another large (100+) for your juvis until they reach selling length. And for the ones you can't sell when you saturate the market in your area

+1 :thumb:

The fact you have to wait for them to come in should tell you all you need to know about the demand for juvie haps - only freaks like us keep them :lol:.

I would think a 10 and your 38 would be plenty for growing out enough fry to saturate the local market.

Good Luck.

 

[pdandy88]

I do plan on selling some back to the LFS I Bought them from, plus a few others here in town. Mostly to offset the cost to set up and maintain the tanks. Also, I have told my daughter that the fish are gonna have babies and she is all excited now! I do not plan to keep all of the clutches that come up. Some I may just leave in the tank and let nature take it's course. I will only try to keep and raise the fry that I can maintain in the setup I described. Also kind of to gauge how much I can get for them/ how high of a demand I see at my local LFS's.

So I guess my real Question is (based on your responses)....If I do 2x15gallons and a 38 gallon, how many fry at one time will I be able to growout?

And goofboy : You are right! We ARE freaks. And I love it. The main LFS I deal with here in Omaha is called Fish Freaks. :lol: . You should check them out!

 

[GoofBoy]

So I guess my real Question is (based on your responses)....If I do 2x15gallons and a 38 gallon, how many fry at one time will I be able to growout?

A spawn in each 15 as they grow a bit and the 38 is really going to be a function of how often you want to change the water as you get them to an 1.5in or so. If you get 40-50 in the 38 you should be able to saturate the market - of course you will be changing water every 48 hours or so to maximize growth .

Good Luck.