Fry Swimming Round With Not A Care In The World

[kkcrd11]

So I bought platys a few days ago (sat) I fed them tonight and saw 11 little fry swimming frantically around the middle of the tank . None of the bigger platys bothered them nor did my harlequins . Not sure what I expected with platys .... My boyfriend bought them without realising they were live bearers but I didn't expect fry that quickly . What should I do they seem quite big for fry 3mm or so and don't seem scared to Come out although they are staying low in use black gravel .Should I leave them and let nature take it's course .? I thought they would have been eaten by now tbh but they are hiding under rocks etc .... How would I ensure they get food if I do t separate them .
Thanks I know your probably bored of all these fry questions

 

[Lillefishy]

I would let nature take it's course, platys can drop 30+ fry every 4/5 weeks, if you tried to save them all you'd soon be very overstocked

 

[kkcrd11]

Yes this is what I thought . I. Little concerned as we lost a platy this morning for no reason . Waters fine and he was showing no signs of disease or ill health I will see how it goes . Hope at least one survives though my kids would be very happy thanks . Should I not worry about food then will they manage to get bits as it falls down . Here's a pic I feel quite protective of them but don't want to be over run
Platy fry pic

 

[betta fish]

If you want some to survive you can chuck some floating plants in there too if you don't have any, plants like hornwort are great for fry they will hide amongst the fronds, they will catch tiny food particles that float down when you feed the parents but if you want to feed them baby brine shrimp and microworms are great to get them growing quicker. 

 

[kkcrd11]

Thanks . I saw they were catching bits of food already but mat get some brine shrimp sis well to be sure .i have plants in already but they don't seem to be hiding they are all out and about just swimming . So I'm assuming they have chosen to do this and must feel quite secure where they are at the moment thanks for your advice .

 

[kkcrd11]

Well it's been a few days since the babies were born . I was allowing nature to take its course so as not to be overstocked.trouble is the adults are leaving the babies alone . I have been watching and it seems the bigger fish aren't at all tempted to eat them they just swim by . What shall I do now there are about twenty maybe more I think . I m not sure how many I can keep with the size of my tank and fish already in there and I can give some away to a friend but obviously not all of them . Will the LFS take them ?


Fish I already have are
3 adult platys
7 harlequin rasboras

Tank is 120l

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Antoniakr]

i think you could keep a couple of the fry in that tank when they get to adults, just pick your favorite colours and then give or sell the other ones to other people  

 

[dopieopie]

A LFS might take them, I had called one near Me to ask about the same thing, andwas told they would take them once they reached an inch long. Unfortunately, shortly after that my fry all went missing

 

[kkcrd11]

Oh thanks guys I'll ask and see what they say . I do have another tank I could put them in but that currently houses 3 black skirt tetra and I would have to move them to the main tank with the platties and rasboras and not sure how that would pan out they are very quick for food and quite boisterous