[SHUEZQ]

I have a 55 planted tank with Rainbows, Barbs, and Neons of various species. Of course, I have the assorted algae eaters as well. Bottom line--except for one renegade feeder guppy that was rescued from a bag of feeder ghost shrimp. they are all egg-laying fish.

I had a blue neon with a minor injury, so I put him in a breeder net in the tank for close observation. I dropped in some floating plant to keep his stress level down. After a day, I decided to remove the neon and medicate him in a separate tank, but I left the net in place. Well, to my surprise, I discovered baby fish in the breeder net 3 days later!

I have since discovered more eggs on parts of the free-floating plant in the tank, and moved them into a secluded area as well. About 4 more hatched. At this point, I have moved them all into a 5 gallon with a sponge filter.

These things are so tiny, I have no clue what they are! The eggs are smaller than the head of a pin, and I thought guppy babies were small!

Some of the eggs seem to have some fuzzy stuff around them. Is this normal, or is it fungus?Others are larger and cloudy instead of opaque. AAre these just growing eggs? Maybe another fish? I once had a baby Cherry Barb survive to adulthood, but I have never stumbled upon the eggs before.

So far, I am just feeding them this powdery newborn food. They are so tiny, I can't even tell if they are eating! Is there anything else I can feed them? Do I need to add a fungus guard (what dose) or am I best to leave them alone? I can only wait to see what the heck they are--I just hope they survive.

[Frank M. Greco]

Did you ever figure out who laid the eggs?

The fuzzy eggs are infertile and aer fungusing. Remove them, if you can.

[SHUEZQ]

OMIGOSH! I can't believe I've finally reconnected with this forum. It was gone, then I was gone (without internet), and now I am finally back on.

Anyway, an update on the mystery fish: they were baby rainbowfish! I managed to raise two broods--8 have survived all odds to adulthood. My best guess is that they are a cross of my turquoise and red rainbowfish. They were just an aqua sheen when little. They have a gold body (with an iridescent sheen) and gold fins tipped in red, but they have the lateral line of the turqouoise fish. They tend to change color from dark to light throughout the day, and are now about 2.5 inches long! If I ever master getting a photo I will post one. I just recently combined my two 55 planted tanks into one giant 125 gallon tank and it is beautiful! All the rainbows are together now, along with the 3 Clown Botias I've had for years, a variety of algae eaters, and varoious characins. The gobie is my newest addition, but she is a true pig. Can't have little fish in the tank anymore--neons are a snack for her. I must go now, but I will post again!