I have platies and am wondering when they will...

[William]

I have 6 platies 5 females and one male and am wondering if anyone here knows how I can tell how close they are to giving birth a couple of the females seem pretty fat but is there any other way of telling so that I know when to look out for the fry?

Thanks

William 8)

 

[Davy Reynolds]

Live bearers are not my first love and I'm not 100% on them so I think I'll leave this one for Rose :grin:

 

[William]

Ok... now I play the waiting game...

William

 

[Rose]

To make this post short I'm just going to give you a link to a article I wrote on swordtails. The same thing applies to all livebearers for the most part. IF you have questions after reading it just ask. http/www.aquamaniacs.net/swordtails.html I hope that this will help a bit. Good luck. Rose 8)

 

[William]

Thankyou!

How do you recommend I feed them some vegetables it sounds like fun... do I just drop in a lump of cucumber or a few peas?

Thanks in advance!

William  8)

 

[Rose]

The peas you will need to thaw first then just cut up into little peices and put in the tank. Cucumber you cut into slices and stick in the microwave or in some water on the stove and blanch till soft. Let cool then attach to the tank walls with a veggie clip and watch the fun. Rose 8)

 

[William]

Thanks I tried it with courgette and it they really attacked the little slices but unfortunately quickly they fell to the bottom and I had to net them out! What is a veggie clip?

Thanks

William

 

[Rose]

A veggie clip is basically a chip clip with a suction cup that attaches to the tank walls. Rose 8)

 

[William]

umm maybe I am stupid What is a chip clip I know the suction pads.... Would a paperclip and a suction pad work?

William

 

[Rose]

A chip clip is a long plastic type thing. On one end you squeeze and it opens the other end so you can put that end over the top of the chips bag. This keeps them from getting stale. Rose 8)

 

[Davy Reynolds]

I'll put it in plan English for you as there language is sometimes hard to understand

It's a small clothes (type) peg or crocodile clip. On a suction cup.

But anything that will hold the veg in one place and help sink it or stick it onto the side of the tank. Will do

A paper clip might rust.

 

[William]

aah a clothes PEG!! I got you now!!

I was lost with the chip clip sorry!

Anyway now I know I can rig one up for myself because I put my heater inside the filter (there is a special slot) I have two suction caps and a bit of plastic I am sure I can right something up with this 8)

William

 

[Rose]

Thanks Davy. I keep forgetting you people on the other side of the world don't know what things are called. Rose 8)

 

[William]

HeHe yes you have to spell things out for us cavemen....

William

 

[William]

nooooooooooooo!

Argh please I need help!! The male platy that I have seems to have a slight extension at the bottom of his tail!! Do platies have this or is it just swordtail/platy crosses and swordtails.

Just my luck to get hybrids... and the shop sold them as platies!

William