How to Breed & Hatch in Fish Tanks

There are two ways fish birth their fry: live-bearing and egg-laying. You can have both types of fish breed in your aquarium, but you need to take special steps to protect the fry. Many fish species will eat fry without a second thought. Even the parents of the fry will eat them. Other times, the presence of the parents is essential to ensure the fry live for more than just a few days past birth.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeder box
  • Fish tank
  • Gravel
  • Fake seaweed
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Instructions

  1. Live Bearing Fish

    • 1

      Research the parenting behaviors in your live-bearing fish. Some fish will leave their children alone after their birth while other fish can become aggressive and kill all their young. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare for the care of the young and the parents.

    • 2

      Set a breeder box onto the side of your aquarium. Scoop a male and a female fish out of the large part of the tank and release them into the breeder box. Remove the father from the tank after three weeks -- unless he is essential to the young fry -- because the mother will be close to birthing the fry.

    • 3

      Watch the mother closely for signs of labor. Depending on the specific needs of your fish breed, remove the mother or leave her in the breeder box after she births the fry.

    Egg-Laying Fish

    • 4

      Research the breeding patterns of the fish you have. Some egg-laying fish collect the eggs in their mouth and store them until birth, while other fish may leave their eggs scattered about at the bottom of the tank.

    • 5

      Separate the male and female fish into a separate tank. The tank should have gravel and fake seaweed to provide the parents with an ideal laying ground.

    • 6

      Remove the mother and father from the tank after they lay their spawn -- unless the parents are essential to the survival of the eggs. Do not disturb the tank or you may damage the eggs.