Ammonia: Deadly Fry Killer
If bad water can affect adult bettas in a bad way just imagine what elevated ammonia and nitrates can do to delicate and fragile fry. Those toxic twins can can take a huge toll on your spawn during the first four weeks as in now you see them now you don’t.
As basementbettas has pointed out on their blog, nitrites and ammonia can decimate your spawn.
Even if you don’t feed the mating pair, which is a good idea to keep ammonia levels from fish waste down, there will still be fish waste produced during their time in the breeding tank that will be breaking down and will be contaminating the water.
And remember you’re working with only a few gallons that’s three, maybe four inches deep for maybe as long as 30 days. Add to that the eggs that don’t hatch, or the empty egg shells and uneaten micro worms/baby brine shrimp and is it any wonder the water quality can take a quick nose dive as ammonia levels spike?
The only solution is to test the water daily using a good test kit and be prepared to do significant daily water changes using aged water. Taking care not to siphon out the developing fry in the process.
About Lucas
Putting a name with a face I'm Lucas Smatana. Like you I'm passionate about betta fish and hope to share my enthusiasm. The idea here is to make sure you get helpful info and useful ideas on betta fish care that really work. To insure your betta keeping experience is a good one both for you and your fish. So that you and your pet enjoy a long, happy and healthy relationship.
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