Is A Ratio Necessary For Breeding?

[TotallyTropical]

I have a pair of Platies, and I'm hoping to get a male for my female Swordtail (he just died of Ich, and I'm getting the tank under control). Should I also get another female Platy and female Swordtail? I was also hoping to just get a pair of Honey Gouramis, and I've ordered an Otocinclus (500 get sold out in about 2 days ), and I have 3 Kuhli Loaches. If I want to breed them, should I do 1 male to 2 females? Or is that too much?

 

[super-MAGuire]

I have a pair of Platies, and I'm hoping to get a male for my female Swordtail (he just died of Ich, and I'm getting the tank under control). Should I also get another female Platy and female Swordtail? I was also hoping to just get a pair of Honey Gouramis, and I've ordered an Otocinclus (500 get sold out in about 2 days ), and I have 3 Kuhli Loaches. If I want to breed them, should I do 1 male to 2 females? Or is that too much?

the platys, swordtail and gouramis yeah, 1:1 works but the females can get pestered alot, leading to stress. As for otto's and kuhlis.... no idea, sorry.

 

[TotallyTropical]

Ok. I didn't mean about breeding the Kuhlis or Ottos. I have NO idea about their spawning conditions, etc. I think I'll go with the ratio then.

 

[FishBlast]

Ok. I didn't mean about breeding the Kuhlis or Ottos. I have NO idea about their spawning conditions, etc. I think I'll go with the ratio then.

While 1:1 works (had it for a while for swordtails), 2:1 females to males works best. (although in my case it's useless, now the male won't mate with either female...)

 

[OldMan47]

For a production arrangement use 5 females to each male for typical livebearers. If you just want a few fry, a simple pair often works out just fine as long as you monitor for excessive breeding pressures by the male.