Tank Divider and breeding

[HOLLIEO]

So, my new venture is to breed (try to) my Zebra Danios. I have a 20 gallon that I set a tank divider (made of plastic with little holes and sold at Petsmart) in, blocking off about 3-5 gallons for the parents to 'breed' I didn't really want to go out and buy a bunch of stuff I really didn't 'need' to have. I used a coral (fake for aquarium) a fake plant, a bubble bar, and some smooth 2x.5 river rock (instead of buying marbles that I didn't have) all over the bottom for the eggs to fall in. I have just the mom (really fat with eggs and ready to spawn) in there by herself (she looks sad) for a couple of days now. I am planning to put the 3 other Danios in with her tonight (i can't tell which ones are male and female on these ones, cuz' the female got skinny. I know 2 are male and one is female ). And then in the morning, remove all 4 Danios back to the other side of the divider with the rest of the other fishys. So, am I kidding myself or does this sound right? Is this divider adequate in the way I have it set up? The temp seems to be the same as the rest of the tank, so i am pretty sure it gets adequate flow. So, any advice or comments?

 

[fishstixs05]

So far what you have done seems to be right, but I see some problems arising in the future. As soon as the eegs are laid, make sure that you take out the adults. Also, How large are these holes in the divider. Danio babies are very small, and parents WILL eat them if they get into the adult side. Last, do you have proper baby food for the newborns, and is the current slow enough that it wont drift into the adult side. My advice, buy a ten gallon and a sponge filter, move the rocks into it. this will give all the fish more room, and some of these problems with not be factors anymore.

 

[HOLLIEO]

Well, the holes are very tiny. Which was why I had concern that maybe there was not adequate water flow. The holes are about pin hole (maybe two pinholes?) size??? :? On the food subject... that is where I got a little confused. I have mixed responses on articles that I have read in various locations on the internet. One said to NOT FEED until free swimming. So, is that not when they are stuck to the sides of the tank? And then I read to feed the fry (once free swimming) some Liquifry 1 (for egg layers). I guess there a bunch of different things out there. Any recommendations on feeding? No current on the breeding side. I guess the divider really blocks that?? On the tank (adult side) I have a Penguin 125 biowheel that has a waterfall effect, causing the water to have a slight current. But, on the other side of the divider... no movement (like waves)... only when the mama fishy swims to the top. I know I really should (and really want more too ) buy another tank, but my husband has restricted my spending on another tank at the moment... which is why I was trying the dividers.