Tank cleaning/water changes in a tank with fry

[helene schoubye]

I think that you should not underestimate the fry’s ability to take flight when ‘something’ is going on. In my experience putting down a hose and sucking out water is not likely to bring out any fry. If you hold it just beneath the plant cover and above the bottom – and make some ‘noise’ then that part is possible.
Also with plant cover, if you make some movements, stir a little, the fry will swim away. You might lift up the plant to mid of the tank and keep shaking it a bit – it will eventually make the fry seek other hidingplaces. And then take the plant into a small container with little bit of water and observe it well for any fry. They are easier to see then also.

If you want to empty out the whole tank it is a lot more complicated, with the bottom debrie and all that. But I still think the method is possible, making certain the fry can see and feel that they should get away, then suck a bit out careful.
Also if you take out all decorations and plants and leave the tank to settle its much more easy to then see how many fry and where they are. I do admit its a process that could take hours.

I always use quite a thin hose, that is also important in order to control things.

The fry which unfortunately gets ‘hosed’ up normally doesnt suffer if they are small.

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