Angelfish fry, or angelfish offspring, should be separated from more aggressive fish as soon as possible. Some breeders may choose to separate them before they even hatch. They also require warm, oxygenated water that is clean and free of debris. Once angelfish fry are about a week old, breeders can begin to feed them.
Angelfish eggs and angelfish fry are both at risk of being devoured by larger, more aggressive fish. To avoid this, they are usually separated from other aquarium fish. It may also be necessary to separate the fry from their parents as well, since some aggressive angelfish will eat their offspring. Any angelfish that are especially aggressive during courtship should not remain in the same tank as the fry.
Many breeders remove angelfish eggs before they even hatch. This can be accomplished by placing a breeding slate in the tank with the breeding pair. After the eggs are fertilized, the breeding slate can then be moved to a different tank.
The angelfish parents can also be moved to a separate tank to mate. When the eggs have been fertilized, the pair can then be moved to a different tank. Separating the parents from the fry is not always necessary, however, since many parents will protect and take care of their fry.
Warm water will help angelfish grow and thrive. An aquarium heater can be used to heat the water. It should be kept at a temperature around 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). The temperature should be monitored with an aquarium thermometer.
Clean water is also important when caring for angelfish fry. Most angelfish breeders recommend changing half of the aquarium water each day. A gentle aquarium filtration system can also help keep the water clean. Sponge filters are typically recommended for tanks containing angelfish fry, since it is almost impossible for the tiny fish to get sucked into them.
Water changes and filters may not keep the aquarium water completely clean, though. Some small fry may end up dying, and their bodies must be removed from the water. Any pieces of uneaten food should also skimmed from the water.
During the first week of their lives, angelfish fry will still have a yolk attached to them, which will provide nourishment. After this yolk disappears, typically about seven days after they hatch, the fry will need to be fed. Newly hatched brine shrimp are usually the recommended food for angelfish fry, but special fry food can sometimes be purchased from pet stores. As the fish get bigger, they can be fed regular flake food.