Serpae Tetra Breeding Situation...

Question
One of my female Serpae Tetras is now pregnant in a community tank with a pair of Black Phantoms, 3 Red Platys, some more Serpaes, and a Cory Cat. I want as many fry to survive as possible, but I only have limited equipment. Other from my main tank, I have a smaller tank which is empty, and I could use that for the Serpae. I have a filter, but NO HEATER! Should I keep the female in the tank and risk getting the eggs eaten, or should I move her to the other tank with no heat?(It's located in a warm area.)
I won't be able to get a heater.



IMPORTANT :Also:Just wondering,if I move her, do I need a male to fertilize the eggs? Or are the fertilized already?

Answer
Hi Nate,

It's possible she's eggnant but she's not pregnant, tetras do not carry live babies.  You will need a separate tank, heater and a filter, preferably either undergrond or sponge so that the fry aren't sucked up.  You will need to let the serpae spawn together in the breeding tank and when you are sure the eggs have been adhered and fertilized by the male you can remove the adults and put them back in the main tank or they will eat or destroy the eggs.  You will need to make sure the conditions are correct for breeding (live foods, more frequent water changes, dim to no light).  Heaters are $15 for a small one, if you can't get it I would suggest that you do not breed them if you don't want sick and dying fry.  Even in a warm area the temp is not stable, especially at night, and this swing would not occur in a serpaes native area.  This will stress and kill any fish, especially delicate fry.

It's also possible that you are mistaking eggnant for illness.  Make sure she doesn't have dropsy or internal parasites that's causing her to balloon outwards.  It's really pretty odd for tetras to get noticably large like that unless they are ill.

Good luck : ) April M.