Aquarium
Acrylic Fish Breeding Hatchery — Medium Fry Incubator Box
Reviews
4.3/ 5
Brand Pawfly
- 5 stars 7
- 4 stars 1
- 3 stars 1
- 2 stars 0
- 1 star 1
Product description
This medium hatching box is sized for small fry and juveniles — internal dimensions measure approximately 5.3 inches long by 3.5 inches wide by 3.9 inches high. The unit is molded from clear acrylic so you can observe breeding, behavior or fights with little visual obstruction.
Included components allow flexible arrangements: a removable top lid, a grated floor section to let tiny fry fall into the lower chamber, and two removable dividers that combine to form three separate rooms. The bottom compartment functions as the hatchery area while the other two spaces are suitable for isolating aggressive adults, recovering injured fish, or keeping separate broods.
The design features a floating balance panel with two handles so the box stays buoyant; it also ships with two suction cups so you can secure the incubator against the aquarium wall. Multiple side vents/slits promote water movement through the compartments, reducing the need for an inline heater or air pump, though placing it near a filter outflow will improve circulation.
Assembly and maintenance are straightforward: the box snaps together without tools and disassembles for cleaning. Because the slits are fairly fine, very young fry may not pass through some openings, and routine flushing or siphoning is recommended to keep water fresh in the lower nursery chamber.
Pros
- Clear acrylic construction for unobstructed viewing
- Modular layout with grated floor and two removable dividers
- Floats and can be secured to the tank with suction cups
Cons
- Side slits provide only limited passive water flow
- Lid and internal grate may shift if not seated firmly
- Bottom chamber can be awkward to clean without removing occupants
VerdictThis medium acrylic incubator offers a transparent, modular nursery for newborn fish and small invertebrates. The grated lower chamber protects tiny fry while the two removable dividers create separate compartments for mothers, injured fish, or quarantine. It floats using the balance panel and handles and can be anchored to the tank wall with included suction cups. Side slits provide limited water
Reviews
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Serena 5/5
Helped calm aggressive tankmates
Exactly as described for breeding, but I used it to separate and introduce fish so they wouldn’t injure each other. Worked very well.
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will Hillman 5/5
Protective little nursery
Keeps my young fry away from predators and stressors—simple and effective.
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Marisol 5/5
Tiny nursery that really works
Perfect for my four baby platys — they survived in the same tank without being eaten. Very satisfied so far.
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CarlV. 3/5
Grate needs rethinking
The medium size itself is fine, but the grated floor tends to float up unless forced down. It doesn’t settle naturally, which feels like a design oversight.
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Casey 5/5
Well thought out layout and clear material
Measure your tank openings first. I use the small and medium so fry can swim into it through the side slots. I drop powdered food in and it stays near the surface for the fry while larger fish can’t reach it. I leave the lid off most of the time. Very transparent, floats nicely, and the suction cups keep it in place. Thinking of trying the largest size for a bigger injured fish in my 75-gallon display to give it circulated water and air.
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Tamy Kasdorf 1/5
Useful idea but some practical issues
Concept is great — mom can remain in the main tank while fry are safe — but the lid won’t stay put unless I weigh it down, and the whole unit can lift off the suction cups. The bottom collects uneaten food and waste and is hard to clean without removing the parent; a turkey baster wasn’t effective. Also, using the divider requires briefly removing the lid, which risks an escape.
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Sean 4/5
Does the job for a low cost option
Placed four fry inside and the small slots let water pass but kept two-day-old platy fry from swimming out. The lid is a little flimsy and can be annoying to remove, and the suction cups weren’t instantly sticky for me, so I’m watching that. Overall a useful, budget-friendly nursery.
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Nate 5/5
Handy and satisfying to watch
Really convenient for pregnant fish and enjoyable to observe the fry growing in a protected space.
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Carolyn H 5/5
Roomier than I expected and well made
I was worried it might crowd a 15-gallon, but it offers flexible layouts. I sheltered a pregnant guppy on one side and moved tiny fry to the other; the smallest fry slipped through the slits into the lower safe zone. Suction cups held it near my filter outlet for decent circulation. Solid, heavy-feeling plastic and a well-fitting top.
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Aisling and Benji Denker 5/5
Keeps newborn guppies out of harm's way
Woke up to a sudden brood and this unit protected them from adults while still allowing some water movement. The slits are small enough that very young fry are kept in, so I flush fresh water through occasionally to keep things clean. The lid has cutouts that could let tiny fry escape, so I often leave it off and suction the top near the waterline to prevent exits. The divider and grate are handy, and the cups hold tightly to the tank wall.
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