I Think She Gave Birth!

[Morquinn]

My sunset platy was heavily gravid for the longest time it seemed like. When she first got chubbier, she had the pink gravid spot. (Im supposing this is because she is lighter in color, yellow) Then about a week or so ago I noticed 6 little black dots inside this pink area. I thought for sure these would be the eyes of the fry. Yesterday when I checked on her, I noticed two of the black dots extremley close to the anal fin area, so I thought it would be any minute/day that she would have them. I noticed one of the males fallowing her around, and she would chase him off, and he could keep fallowing her. Noticing this I got upset thinking he was gonna eat them right out of the shoot, so I took him and threw him in the 55gallon, hasnt been eaten yet by the bigger fish, but in this instance I really could care less, he is mean to all my other platies and guppies, so what the heck. Anyways, I turned the light off in the aquarium, and a few hours later I returned to see no black spots close to the anal fin area, but I still saw a few black dots farther back in the pink zone. So I immediatly thought she gave birth. I looked around and didnt see anything, but there are a few well hidden spots that even I wouldnt be able to see into that the fry could hide in. But here are the questions, do they swim after being born? Or do they just kind of fall to the bottom and not able to swim very well? Also, when I went back and noticed this she seemed hungry (like always) and I thought I read somewheres that they get some type or "hormonal" reaction that makes them not eat for hours? She is one of the only ones that after being fed will try and find the slim pickings at the bottom of the tank. Her pink gravid spot did darken quite a bit, darker pink that is. So im curious to know if she did, and if she did and they were eaten by other fish, I will be quite upset, but know that will wont be long till she has some again hopefully.

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like she has had a few of the fry, yes they can swim straight away, they can hide them selves very well, so just keep a close look out for them, or the fish have eaten them, good luck.

 

[Morquinn]

Ok! As for the reaction to giving birth and not wanting to eat, is this supposed to happen with the females, cuz mine seems as hungry as ever still

Oh yeah and, how big exactly are they at birth? Like SUPER small... I guess I cant even imagine. I have seen newborn guppies and sailfin mollies, and they look a decent size, at least I can see them anyways, so im guessing I should be able to see the babies.

 

[WILDER]

Just feed her, wouldn't worry.