Baby Platy! What Do I Do?

[kimnici]

Hi, I have just joined this forum as I wanted to ask something. I am new to tropical fish keeping and have a biube set up, the cylindrical shaped 35 litre tank. I have 3 platies and two large tetras in it and this morning we noticed a single baby platy swimming around down the bottom. How do I stop the other fish eating it? I have no other tank to put it in. What shall I do please?
Thanks.

 

[L_Plates]

Try to get hold off a breeding trap. Unfortunately while waiting to get one the baby may get eaten. Thats just the way it goes im afraid.

However with livebearers its always good to have a breeding trap as they breed like rabbits.

LP

 

[fluttermoth]

There's not really a lot you can do. The best option is to buy a good, large bunch of a fine leaved plant, like Java moss, cabomba or elodea for the fry to hide in.

Don't forget that both your platies will probably be pregnant and will have 20 or 30 fry every month, so you're not going to be able to keep them all; your tank's too small. I know it sounds harsh, but it's the fate of 99% of fry to be eaten.

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome to the forum! Good advice given above. Lots of plants will help your fry to hide and possibly survive. But raising fry is going to take alot more room than you have.

 

[kimnici]

Thank you for the replies. Well it turned out there was more than one, I counted about 4! I bought a breeding trap but have only managed to catch one. The bottom of the tank is filled with the ceramic stones that came with the tank so lots of gaps in which they can hide, which is a good thing but not when you are trying to catch them! I was due to do a water change so am a bit nervous about this now, although it is probably more important with the little ones. I have only seen one this morning, apart from the one in the trap, so I may have another go at catching it and will definitely get some weeds so they can hide. I think I need to buy a little tank and leave it set up for future babies. They are so cute! Thanks for the advice I'm new to being a fish grandparent.

 

[colleen0309]

Congrats and good luck with the fry!

 

[CrazyAirborne]

with cover in the tank bottom, you'd be surprised at how many will survive. livebearer young are pretty good at making it thru as along as they have some cover.