Is this Normal???

[sushi]

I've got 2 female platties that are pretty fat lookin. I was expecting to have plattie fry this morning. But nada.
I'm new at this breeding stuff.
I've read on other posts that the mum will ly still when she's gonna give birth.
Two of the fatter platties have been not moving much, and sitting under the java moss for about 2 days now.
the temp is on 28/29 Celcius all the time.
Is the sitting around for so long normal? Or may there be a problem.
IF they do have fry. How long is it b4 they start eating them? And would I be able to see them if they were in the Java moss?
Thanyou for any of your help.

 

[FreeZe]

Two of the fatter platties have been not moving much, and sitting under the java moss for about 2 days now.

Hm.. i would check the ammonia, and nitrite levels.. that sound like they could be stressed out.

I have lost a few fish after they idle a few days like that while cycling my tank.

 

[sushi]

oh.
I just did a 50% water change. The water was looking a bit brown.
I need to get another filter, I've got a little wee sponge filter in there. I did have a bigger one but my pleco got stuck in it.
They do seem to be up and about now. One of them tho, the fatter one, is still hiding. She's got a gravid spot, that's why I thought she'd be giving birth, but she hasn't.
How do I know if shes ok or not? or do I have to wait and see.
I dont' have tests for the water.
I've got 2 fry, and they're still alive, I thought they'd be the first one's to die if there were water problem. But then, I don't know.
I hope she's ok. She's a pretty one.

 

[cutechic]

Are you sure they are pregnant? Can you see a gravid spot on them? How long have they been fat?

If you're not sure if she is sick, I would recommend doing daily 30% water changes, which will keep the water quality optimal. Once she gives birth, you'll need to keep doing daily water changes (about 20%).

If you think she will give birth soon, it is best to leave her alone. Provide plenty of plants, which will benefit both her and the fry. Once she gives birth she will be very hungry, and may start eating the fry immediately. Plenty of plants will ensure that some of the fry are able to hide. If you look closely into the java moss, you should be able to see some fry. They are very tiny at first, but you will definitely be able to see them once they're a few days old.

The sponge filter that you have now is great for fry because they cannot get sucked into it, and they nibble on the food there.

If you can, take a water sample to your lfs for them to test it. Most lfs will do this for free. It is important to know what the water parameters are.

Good luck

 

[sushi]

oh.
I just did a 50% water change. The water was looking a bit brown.
I need to get another filter, I've got a little wee sponge filter in there. I did have a bigger one but my pleco got stuck in it.
They do seem to be up and about now. One of them tho, the fatter one, is still hiding. She's got a gravid spot, that's why I thought she'd be giving birth, but she hasn't.
How do I know if shes ok or not? or do I have to wait and see.
I dont' have tests for the water.
I've got 2 fry, and they're still alive, I thought they'd be the first one's to die if there were water problem. But then, I don't know.
I hope she's ok. She's a pretty one.

 

[yhbae]

By the way, pregnant females do show the tendency to hide behind/under objects. Does she eat when you feed?

 

[sushi]

Hi. I might take my water to the pet store to check it if it's free. I thought they'd charge.

SHe is eating when I feed, she gets quite active then.

I'm pretty sure they're pregnant (the two fatter ones). They've been in my 40g with 3 males. 1 of which is continuously chasing them. The fattest one (the one that's hiding), I've actually witnessed the male mating with her twice, and being a nusence most of the time.
They've been plumpish for a while. I've written a lot of posts asking questions about them. I wish there were pregnancy tests. They've been gradually getting fatter ever since I had them. Which has been about 3 - 4 weeks, hense, I'm expecting fry.
If they were sick, what would make them fat like this. Why would my other fish in my comm. tant not be sick too
Thankyou for all your advice.

 

[Whiskerz]

does the belly look kinda square or is it just round? pregnant fish usually have squarish bellies and fat fish just have a round belly

 

[sushi]

they don't really look sqare to me. But I'm not sure how square they're sposed to look. obviously they don't have corners
'
There was a post about a week ago posted by "crs mel" asking if there platties were pregnant. If you saw it, 2 of mine are the same colour and as fat if not fatter than that.

There tummies almost look white. They're alot paler where the fat bit is. THis pale bit has grown with the fattness. I was assuming it was eggs inside her, I dont know. I've read posts that say there's half-hatched fry

 

[Whiskerz]

if u go to the link below, it shows what different fish look like while bein pregnant and i hope it helps u out

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=40443

 

[sushi]

I looked at the photos and my platties look more like a fatter/shorter version of the swordtails.

that pregnant plattie photo is stumpy looking, so I can't really compare, cause mine are longer than that. If they still look that out of proportion, they're not quite that far yet, I don't think. I'm pretty sure my paler female (yellowy orange with spots) has a gravid spot. And the other fat one seems to be getting darker there.
I don't know. I think I'll just wait. there's not much I can do.
All the females are up and about now, so maybe it was the water. but they seem to be ok, and all of them are eating.

 

[Whiskerz]

hmm im not too sure what to tell ya, some ppl say when they are about to give birth to fry they dont swim around that much or they dont eat as much, but everytime one of my fish is pregnant they act normal, they swim around normal and they eat normal.

but yah what i mean by the "square tummy" the pregnant female swordtail is a perfect picture for that, u can see how its kinda square on the bottom, so if ur fish look anything like that, then im sure ur fish are pregnant...

sorry if im not helping u too good, maybe someone else can explain things better

 

[fishrock]

they could be in the process of having he fry. they could have had their fry and the fry could be hiding or got eaten. it could be that the fry are really close to coming ad the mommas are uncomfy. the fry if this first batch could take a week or more to come from firstto last and there could only be 10.good luck with them. they sound like they are ok if they arent having trouble swimming or any other signs of trouble.

 

[yhbae]

If they are feeding well, and swim well they are probably healthy. As some have mentioned already, it is normal that pregnant females hide so wait for few days to see if you get your first batch of fries...

 

[balloon molly]

I wish there were pregnancy tests

ugh tell me about it
anywhoo back to the point.if your p[latys look like that then they are pregnant.if not then they probably had a lil too much to eat lol.keep us updated