Buying Today

[sunpirate2u]

OK so I have a 3 gal fry tank thats been cycling for about 3 weeks with some zebra danios I also have a 10 gal stocked with:

1 male platy

1 female platy

4 x-ray tetras

I'm planing on going out today and buying two female platys to start breeding in the 10 . It will take about 2-3 weeks for the fry to be born so by that time my fry tank would be commpletly cycled. Right?

Um....also what should I look for in a good,healthy, ready-to-breed female? And how long after breeding would the "gravid spot" apper? What is the best fry food brand?

~thanks

(other info welcome )

I almost forgot, I want the LFS to test my water, is it free and what should I put the water in?

EDIT: now im going on Feb. 18th

 

[sunpirate2u]

anyone?

 

[linher1215]

In my case I just pick the best, healthiest, fattest looking female in the tank!!! I have found that some platys do not show a gravid spot (red wag)!

As far as the water testing goes...try maybe a ziplock baggie Not sure about that though!

I feed my platy fry crumbled flake and frozen baby brine and they grow like crazy. I did have to separate the mom into a breeder box though because I had other fish in the tank that were eating all the fry. After about 3 weeks or so I put the back in the big tank and they seem fine. I have found that even in a moderately planted tank ( real plants and plastic) the others find the fry and eat them.

I waited and waited for fry and now wonder what to do with some.......but I would not change it for anything. Love my babies!!!

 

[sunpirate2u]

thanks linher1215

Im going to the store tomarow now, all of my stores were closed (duh Sunday!) Im going to this place called "Ocean Floor". Have you heard of it?

 

[Colin_T]

most petshops charge for water teasting but it isn't much. If you are a regular that spends then they will probably do it for free.
You can use a zip lock bag or a glass with some glad wrap/ cling wrap on top.
Most petshops are also open everyday because animals don't take holidays

 

[sunpirate2u]

Around how much? I only have $20. I have to last it until June.

 

[Colin_T]

usually 50cents to a dollar per test.

 

[sunpirate2u]

thanks

 

[kribensis12]

Every LFS i got to does test's for free. I've been to alot of LFS's, so i tihnk you've been getting ripped off Colin_T

 

[linher1215]

Ocean Floor....no I haven't heard of it. It must be something local to your area at least there is not one around here.

I also thought that water tests were free....maybe call a couple places and ask around.

 

[LauraFrog]

If you want those fry going straight into the fry tank and it's not yet cycled, I'd wait. The fry may well be born before three weeks are up because they could be pregnant when you buy them. I've had fish start throwing fry less than a week after buying them with no external signs of pregnancy. She only had ten, but still - that's ten fry. Either wait or have another arrangement set up, like a dish where you can change all of the water daily. I've kept fry alive doing this.

 

[sunpirate2u]

I went to Ocean Floor yesterday. OMG IT was HUGE! It was a big ware house (it's the biggest in the western regon of the USA). I got to see lots of fish I've never seen in real life before. Clown Knifes, full grown arowanas, full grown oscars (seen but not as big) ect. I got my water tetsted too:

10 g:

ammonia: 0

Nitrites: 0

3 G:

ammonia: 0

nitrites: 0

so my 3 g is fully cycled right? It's been running for 3 1/2 weeks.

I bought 3 platys. One clear (wild color???) female(i thinks she's pregnat!!!), orange sunset wagtial female, and a red wag male. All long-fined. I will show pics soon.