how long does it take?

[joniwaller]

Hi guys,
hope you all had a great christmas.Anyway my question is how long does it take for mollies and platties to give birth after they have mated? i have had rather alot of "activity" in my tank lately and i am looking for dark spots which a few have but just need to know the time scale.

thanx
joni

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Three to four weeks, depending on age, size, and temperature of water. Higher temps mean less time, but more problems and shorter lifespans for the fry after birth.

Are you rearing them in a tank or a trap?

 

[joniwaller]

Hi, they are all in traps and guess what? 5 minutes after i posted this my red plattie started giving birth ,i have had fry before but this is the first time i have witnessed it so far there is 8 or 10 babies and more to come by the looks of things.

joni

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Glad to hear this. Just keep watch and make sure the mother doesn't eat the fry (she might, because it's stressful being cooped up in a breeding trap). Anyways, get back to us and tell us about your haul when she is done dropping.

 

[joniwaller]

Hi,
10 so far !!! i think she's done as she is small,clever girl .i will watch her for another hour after that i will take her out.

joni (proud father) IN THE PET OWNER SENSE OF COURSE

 

[joniwaller]

Hi guys,
Now my black sailfin molly is doing a frantic waggle dance in her keep tank,does this mean anything?

thanx
joni

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Wait, this is in the tank or the breeder? Did you move her?

This is not something she should be doing.

 

[ruffmeister]

any updates

 

[ferrikins]

Hmmm I'd never use a trap, they killed to many of my females.

also raising fry in traps/nets seriously stunts growth and result in very very unhealthy fish.