Help with Breeding box

[Fishy Fishy Man]

Hi,

I just put my pregnant platy into a plastic breeding box today, as she has been pregnant for a while and ive heard that it's a good idea to put them in early-ish.

I also decided that the best thing to do would be to put her breeding partner in there aswell, as when he wasnt, he wasd always up to the plastic trying to get to her and harassing the other platys a bit. Is this the best thing to do?

Thx

FFM

 

[kitty falol]

Hi FFM

I've never used a plastic breeding box, but I've heard that they can stress the fish out and maybe cause them to lose the fry. I know that you shouldn't leave them in there too long, ideally just 24 hours, so you would keep an eye on her and put her in when she starts behaving more subdued.

Some people use a separate breeding tank for pregnant livebearers so that she's not stresses out by being in a confined space and she's not being pestered by other males in the tank. - I wouldn't put her partner in for this reason.

Personally I have a well planted tank and just let them have their babies in the tank - I've still got more fry than I know what to do with!

 

[ferrikins]

breeding traps KILL.

please move her back, or to a tank of her own. Also if you raised the fry in a trap it would stunt there growth.

 

[Fishy Fishy Man]

That is a very extreme view on things. Although a new tank woul be better for both mother and fry, its not an option right now, i do intend on getting one though. But with all due respect, this string isnt wether to use the box or not, its wether the male should be in there with her.

I think the fry have a better chance if they are allowed to grow up a little in the box than if i let them roam in my unplanted tank. last time this happened, they ALL ended up in the filter, dead (see sig)

I wont let them live in the box, just grow a little untill they are grown up enough to survive out in the open.

The reason im hesitant to let him out is that would leave 1 female with 2 males, and her tail fin looks like it has taken a bit of punishment from the male in the box already. So far the two fish in the box havent shown any aggression, but i will definately take him out if he does start hassling her.

FFM

 

[littlehattie]

i used a breeding box once, put the fish in at night, next morning got up to find about six fry in the lower compartment and about 12 stuck in the grill (dead)

i thought i must have used it wrong, but no. would never use one again

 

[willywonka099]

If he is harassing fish he does not have enough females. He should NOT be in there with her nor should the female remove her IMMEDIATELY. IMOE you will probably get a few fry at the bottom plattys aren't very canabalistic. Sorry but that was a very idiotic thing to do to your female,although you may not have known and thats okay. He will stress her even more. I have had 3 fish give birtyh and the most recent was the only one that made it. Also if you havn't had here for more than 3 months chances are he is not the father unless she is on her second batch of fry to your knowledge and he is the only male in the. Release her, give the male atleast 3 other females. What will you do with the fry??? you cant keep them in a breeder trap. Sounds like you shouldn't worry about this batch, don't even bother to net them let them run loose and hopefully 1 or 2 will make it to adult-hood. It sounds like you wanted to breed this wonderfull fish and you were not prepared please be next time.