How old are Platy's before they can breed?

[JoyB]

Hi

I have three baby platies and I just wondered how old they are before they start breeding?

Joy

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Are the fry brothers and sisters? If so you will not want to breed them as inbreeding can cause all kinds of problems...

 

[JoyB]

They are too small to tell what sex they are but they seem to be chasing each other around the tank. I'm not trying to breed them and I was hoping I could just leave them altogether in the tank with the other platies.

What do you suggest I do with them as I don't want to cause problems.

Joy

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I would say about 7months of age is when most platys can breed; if they are too small to tell what sex they are there is no chance of them breeding and the chasing around is probably just playing; how big/old are they?

 

[Def]

No way. Platys are sexually mature in 3 months, sometimes less. And they can and will breed at that age. As the male fry mature you'll see the anal fin detach from the caudal peduncle and form into a tube - the gonopodium.