Is She Pregnant?

[lotlot]

It's really not the best picture, but the best i could get.

I am really puzzled as to whether my female platy is pregnant! She acting quite weird, mainly spending time at the surface of the water or hiding behind plants. She looks pretty big compared to my other platys. Any ideas?

 

[luque]

she doesn't look that fat to me but if she's been with a male the chances ae yes. but by looking at that she is very early into it

 

[theotheragentm]

I can't tell from the picture. The size different should be quite apparent. She should look almost block-like from the rear as her body expands. The general rule is if a female livebearer has been with a male for any period of time, she will be pregnant.

 

[lotlot]

Ok thank for your help!!

If she isn't pregnant then what could explain her behaviour? She is in that corner alot, right near the surface. I have tested for ammonia and the levels are higher than i would like (.25) could it be affecting her badly?

 

[theotheragentm]

Yes, your ammonia levels should be 0. Your nitrite levels should be 0. Your nitrate should be under 40 PPM, but lower is better. Do a water change as soon as you can and continue measuring and doing water changes as necessary. What are you using to test the levels? Paper strip tests are notoriously inaccurate. Get a liquid test kit, like AP Master Test Kit.

Hanging out on the surface may indicate a lack of oxygen in the water. Do you have a bubbler to agitate the water?

 

[lotlot]

I have the AP tests. I will do a water change first thing tomorrow morning!! I worry so much about my fish, i'm a nervous wreck lol.

The Juwel pump i have agitates the water so i'm pretty sure the oxygen levels should be ok, especially as the rest of the fish seem fine

 

[theotheragentm]

Is the tank new? Maybe you didn't cycle it before and that's why you have the ammonia levels high. It's also possible that something new was added or one of the inhabitants of the tank recently died. Once bacteria is built it up, it should convert ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates. The nitrates are taken care of by water changes. If the tank should have already been established, you might be overstocked. You can do more frequent and higher percentage water changes, but those will have to be kept up. Oversizing a filter will help out with bioload as well.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. You'll worry at first, but you'll find a rhythm that will keep you and your fish healthy and happy.

 

[lotlot]

The tank is about 3 weeks, and it seemed that it had cycled. I have started feeding more since so maybe i should cut back again.

She has moved away from the surface and seems alot better. She did have a big trail of waste so maybe she was a little uncomfortable as she did keep rubbing against a rock, obviously trying to get rid of it.

Thanks for your help

 

[theotheragentm]

If fish are having trouble pooping, microwave some peas, let the cool, remove the skin, smoosh it up a bit, and feed to the fish. They will no longer be constipated. It's kind of gross, but it works.

If your fish is rubbing, that is not a good sign. It's often a sign of ich or some other ailment that is irritating the fish. Water change ASAP as fish are more susceptible to illnesses in poor water conditions.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

when she gets pregnant her tummy area becomes whiter than the males, as it pushes agaist the skin