Tank Mates For Live Bearers In A BREEDING TANK

[FiShrewd]

I am currently having three 29 gallons with 6 mollies, 6 platies & 6 Swordtails each respectively

I do keep them with plants [hornwort, java moss, amazon sword & amazon frogbit]

and as you may or may not have guessed i do have really hard water

can I keep  something else in the tank while also being able to spawn them

i also use a matten filter

 

all suggestions and opinions are welcome

[lefty o]

if you are trying to breed and grow fry, shrimps, snails, otto's are the safe bets.

[FiShrewd]

can i double on shrimp snails as in breeding

 

and what is so special about ottos

[lefty o]

you can breed shrimp and snails along with the live bearers, though tiny shrimp may get picked off. the special thing about otto's is they are pretty much the one fish in this hobby that wont predate young fry either on purpose or accidently. otto's are the safe tank mate for anything that wont eat them.

[zestygrappy]

On 9/28/2021 at 4:18 PM, FiShrewd said:

and what is so special about ottos

Otto's are super cute, great algae eaters. I prefer to keep them in groups of at least 6-8. And they won't eat any fry. I've never kept otto's in hard water though.

Check this out : 

https://forum.aquariumcoop.com/topic/12435-otocinclus-and-hard-water-and-high-ph/

 

 

[FiShrewd]

oh

thanks sir

i have literally no prior experience keeping otto's

i technically do but i would like to hear from a hobbyist

 

[Griznatch]

The big challenge with otos is their survivability rate, depending on the source. I've found if they make it through the first month then you have great fry/shrimp safe algae control.

[CalmedByFish]

I'm thinking all 3 types of livebearers would devour baby shrimp. You could probably keep fully grown shrimp with them as a clean-up crew or for fun, but I wouldn't expect any successful breeding of the shrimp.