Is Ny Sunset Platy Pregnant?

[katelouise]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help me, im new to having fish and have never bred any before and have noticed that two of my sunset platy have been getting fatter! Im un aware of the sex of the fish and with being out at work all day i have seen no breeding going on that im aware of. They have now started to hide in and around the plants is this normal behaviour if they are pregnant?? They are in a 40 litre tank and all have no illness as of up to date.
Many thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

You can assume that all female livebearers are pregnant, all the time. They can even store sperm so they can get pregnant if there's no males around!

Livebearers are easy to sex. If you look at the anal fin (that's the one just in front of the tail, where the fish's 'bottom' is) females have a normal fan shape fin, whereas males have a rod like structure called a gonopodium.

It is normal for them to hide when they're near to giving birth. You don't need to do anything for the fish, or the fry, except make sure they have plenty of plants to hide in and clean water.

I feel I ought to tell you that your tank is a bit on the small side for platies, especially if they're going to be breeding. Make sure you do plenty of water changes to keep the water nice and clean, and think about getting a larger tank in the near future

 

[Akasha72]

I've just found a photograph of one of my old sunset platies when she was heavily pregnant. I thought it might help
 

 
 
Just to add to what fluttermoth said - if you look to the base of her tail you might be able to make out a darker area - it may even be black. This is called a 'gravid spot' This is an obvious sign of pregnancy in live bearers and is actually the babies eye's showing through her skin
 
When she is ready to give birth she will look 'square' - like this
 

 
You may also be able to see her birthing canal start to open up - I can see it in this photo but it may not be obvious to a beginner