How to Separate Baby Fish in an Aquarium

Whether you're raising fish as a hobby for profit, or your pets have suddenly bred in your aquarium, separating the fry, or babies, is important. It is not only important to the health of the babies, it can also prevent disruptions in your tank's decor.

Things You'll Need

  • Mesh hatchery box
  • Hand-held aquarium net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the mesh hatchery box inside of the aquarium. Affix it to the inner wall of the tank with a suction cup, letting the top of the box with the opening rest above the surface of the water. Choose a spot near the tank's heater, so the fry can be warm.

    • 2

      Lift open the top of the hatchery box.

    • 3

      Scoop any visible fry out of the main part of the aquarium using the hand-held aquarium net, making sure to be very gentle.

    • 4

      Submerge the net full of fry into the mesh hatchery box, swirling it around to allow the fry to escape from it.

    • 5

      Repeat this until you have transferred all of the fish fry from the main tank to the mesh hatchery box. When the fry are about eight weeks old, they can be released from the mesh box.