Caught my fry, now about Rotifers....

[Sprockett]

I caught about 40-50 fry last night using Wilkerson's setup, we found a little plastic container, put a pump in a coffee filter (new, not used ), and then using a light suctioned them over. Turned off all the lights and tank for an hour and Voila!! Babies!!!

I have been growing Rotifers for weeks, but about harvesting them I'm not %100 sure what is the best way. And how in the hell do you tell how many are in there??

Here is what I am doing now, I have a coffee filter and I line it with a paper filter, then run Rotifer water through the filter (at least a couple of cups worth), I have three 2 gallon buckets so I run water from each. Then I take the filter and shake it out in the Fry tank. Is there a better way?, also is there a good way to clean the water without losing the rotifers?

And finally once I have them in the tank, can I see them?, if I look at the tank from the side with a light from above, I see little specks of dust floating. Are those the rotifers?

and how can I tell the fry are eating?

Sorry, new at this.... Happy we finally found a way to catch them, now to raise them!!

Thanks

-Paul-

 

[NirvanaFan]

yup. the dust is rotifers. You can see the fry kind of curl their tail and strike at the rotifers.

I don't really measure how many of them I add. I just add a bunch and look to see if the fry have to move less than 2 body lengths to get one.

Getting a real rotifer sieve (53 micron) will make collecting them a lot easier.

 

[Sprockett]

yup. the dust is rotifers. You can see the fry kind of curl their tail and strike at the rotifers.

I don't really measure how many of them I add. I just add a bunch and look to see if the fry have to move less than 2 body lengths to get one.

Getting a real rotifer sieve (53 micron) will make collecting them a lot easier.

That makes sense...

I did a second batch just to be sure, then added just a little green algae to the tank so they could co-exist for a while. I finally saw one bend it's tail and jump forward a little, which I assume means they are eating. I guess I'll know tomorrow for sure :mixed:

The rotifers are growing pretty quickly at this point, I'm feeding them daily and filtering their water by pouring it through floss to catch all the detrius. Then I change the water once a week or so, they aren't high maintenance but they are kind of a pain. I have to figure out a better way, I'm glad I don't have to do green water!

Brine shrimp will be next, I just use 2 quart jars for them with a little saltwater and let em rip, easy as pie

Thanks for the help...

-Paul-