Well, I set up a small tub pond (16 gallons) and put about 8 rosy reds. 4 pairs. I must have put like 6 pots and a huge cup of java moss, and 2-3 inch fatheads and rosies. 3 were hybrids. The largest male took a big pot and was killed after the spawning by a goldfish. the eggs were gone and they havn't spawned since. I replaced the male, but my males are only 2.5 inches, the tank is 76 degrees (f), and the gold fish was removed.

How can I spawn them? I need some for my garter snake! I have a couple more tanks, but the pond is for spawning. Thanks.

Certainly, take out any other species of fish in there which would eat the eggs and fry. A 16 gallon tub pond is not very big but you could get a few pairs to spawn in there maybe. You interchange "pond" and "tank" but I'm assuming they're in a pond. I don't see anything outright wrong with your setup (aside from the goldfish you took out) and perhaps it being kind of small. They may spawn again if you're patient. An aquarium is a more controlled breeding situation but you may get higher yields in a pond if it's large enough. In just 16 gallons with 8 rosy reds and fatheads, it's likely that most fry that hatch would be eaten by the adults. You might consider spawning the minnows in an aquarium (or another pond) and putting the pots once they have eggs on them into the pond (or another tank in winter) to grow out (without any other animals in there to eat them). Give the male a new pot, and he usually isn't all that upset when his babies vanish. Male rosy reds aren't going to grow much larger than 2.5" so those are mature.

Thank you. I moved 2 pairs inside. I tried to breed them indoors but usually the lighting is a problem. What else should I do? If im too patient, it will be too late to save fry, or too late to spawn them.

Lighting is a problem? Do you use aquarium lights over the tank? Once settled and secure, a pair or two of minnows will breed quite well.