my tiger barb is extreamly fat all at once

Question
QUESTION: i have isolated what i think is a pregnant tiger barb in a breeding net.  i noticed she was extremely fat last night when in gave my fish their midnight feeding and went straight to the store and got a net to isolate her in.  I was reading online that you need to have the male in with her so that he can fertilize the eggs when she scatters them if in fact this is a fish with babies.  the problem is i have around 6 of the tigers and i don't know which one to put in with her to take care of the eggs.  What kind of advise do you have for me?

ANSWER: Hi Glenn,
 Tiger barbs are indeed egg layers and I strongly suspect that putting her in a net will cause her not to lay the eggs.  Unfortunately, you can't just choose a male for her and expect her to mate with him in a confined area.  I would let her go and see what happens.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i let them all lose in the 55 gallon tank but i am afraid that if she lays the eggs they will not survive because of the other fish in the tank.  there are close to 50 fish all together.  i have tetras, garoumies, a bala shark, paradise fish i think that about covers my fish but i am afraid they will not survive but i am trying what you suggested thank you very much i hope it works i am very excited over this.

Answer
Hi Glenn,
 You are probably right, most if not all will get eaten; that is why fish like barbs lay so many eggs -- most don't make it.  The alternative is to take out all the other fish.  Or, just let things happen and see what happens.  I feel that too often people get caught up in trying to make more fish.  It is great if it happens but I wouldn't wreck a well-functioning aquarium just to isolate a few fish so that they MIGHT breed.  My advice is to focus on enjoying the fish and if they successfully breed, consider that a great bonus.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>