Homemade Mops for Freshwater Fish Breeding

Providing spawning mops for freshwater fish such as goldfish, while not strictly necessary for the fish to spawn, is a good idea for a couple of reasons. First, if spawning mops are provided the female goldfish will likely lay her eggs on the mops. The eggs are naturally sticky and will adhere to the mops. The second reason is because goldfish, and other fish, will eat eggs and fry, or baby fish. Having eggs deposited onto a spawning mop or mat makes it easier to move the eggs into a nursery aquarium, AquariumFish.net states.

Things You'll Need

  • Acrylic yarn
  • Book
  • Scissors
  • Plastic bowl
  • Water
  • Microwave
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wind dark colored acrylic yarn lengthwise around a book roughly 100 times. Cut the yarn.

    • 2

      Slip the loops of yarn off the book. Cut a 6-inch length of yarn from the skein and wrap this tightly around the loops 2 inches from one end. Make at least six wraps, then tie the ends in a double knot to secure them.

    • 3

      Cut through the loops of yarn at the opposite end to the tied end so that the result looks similar to a tassel.

    • 4

      Place the spawning mop in a microwaveable bowl and cover with water, then microwave on full power for 2 minutes to sterilize the yarn.

    • 5

      Drop the wet mop into the fish tank and allow it to sink.