Gravid Spot

[aaronthebaron]

I was told, when buying my fish, that the black female platy was pregnant. I'm sure the pet store worker was right but i can't seem to see a gravid spot it on the BLACK body...is there another way of knowing for definite?? sooner rather than later...

thanks

 

[AquaticRex]

all i can say is if shes more plump then other females shes prolly prego. now dont exactly do this unless someone with more experience gives an ok, but i remember playing with a flash light before and the light goes through the hand... maybe that will work if you put the aquarium light behind the tank and look in the front? as i said i'm not sure if that will stress the fish out or not so please don't flame me >.< just put in your opinions about that method if you have to disagree...

 

[helterskelter]

Not all platies show a gravid spot depending on body colour, as some colours cover it, this is best seen in sunset and tuxedo platies.

if she look's fat then it's odd's on she's pregnant.

 

[aaronthebaron]

Thanks i think i'll wait to see whether her belly does get any bigger. I'd try the other method but i would hate the idea of stressing the fish, especially with the chance of it being pregnant. I do like the idea though lol

 

[mtv8dmarine]

Hello Aaron and welcome to the forum. Not all platies show a gravid spot. If your platy is black than it's not really going to show one either if it's black in that area.

There are a couple posts pinned further up on this forum section that help guide you more in the shape of the platy's belly that help determine when she might drop fry. Take a look at those as they were a good reference for me when I was expecting a few weeks ago. I still had to guess but it certainly helped me to know more of what to look for in the shape of the fish.