Should I turn the filter on in my danio fry tank?

Question

I have around 100 danio eggs and I don't know whether or not to turn the filter on in the tank. I'm afraid they will get sucked in the filter and will die. My tank is 5 gallons and has a heater, some rocks, décor, etc. Only the eggs live there. Should I turn on the filter in my danio fry tank or should I wait until they hatch? If I were to turn on the filter, would they live healthier or unhealthier?

Answer 1

You can use a sponge filter for your danio fry, but wait till the fry are free swimming before starting your filter, also set the out put to a level which will allow the fry to be stable and not be knocked about by the current.

BTW, if you still have your filter inside the tank, take it out leaving it off and inside the tank will surely pollute the water quickly and will not be good for the eggs. You can keep the water in the hatching tank aerated by keeping an aerator/air stone going.

Answer 2

I would recommend using an airstone/pump for aeration till the fries are bigger and stronger. They won't produce that much waste to require filtering for the first month anyway. That is the safest way to keep them healthy.

Answer 3

Don't turn the filter on yet.  Wait until the eggs hatch, the fry have consumed their egg yolksac and are eating regular food and producing waste for a few days.  Then you will need to turn on the filter.  Make sure you have it on the lowest setting it will go.  If it's not a sponge filter, make sure you have the intake blocked off with a piece of sponge or some fine mesh or nylon or a bit of fabric so that none of the fry can get sucked up into it.  Danio fry are very tiny and fragile and too strong of a filter can easily kill them.