Moving Preg. Females

[Labyrinth]

Right, Hi All

My Platys are close to exploding with fry, there are in the main tank but I want to keep the fry. At the moment I have a grow up tank that contains 8 platy fry, they are about 1cm long, would you think it is OK for me to move the females in to this tank without them eating the fry already in there and without the fry eating the new borne fry?

Also, I have heard that you shouldn’t expose pregnant Livebearers to the air, as in netting them, is there any truth in this, as I don’t think there is, but I will ask anyway.

If someone could Respond ASAP it would be most helpful.

Lab

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I have never come across problems with exposing pregnant females to air, so I advise you to ignore that. However, dependant on the stage of the pregnancy, it may be dangerous for her and the young for you to move her if she is very close the birth. This could cause her to give birth prematurely, or abort the pregnancy altogther.

Secondly, the females should be ok with the fry you have in your raising tank, the general rule is that they have to be bigger than the larger fish mouths.. but make sure the tank is heavily planted for all the young to hide.

For your last comments, when the females give birth, leave them in the same tank for a day, to recover from the pregnancy, as long as your tank is heavily planted all new born fry will hide. The older fry may eat the younger fry, so keep them well fed is my only advice, unless you have another empty tank?

I hope this information helps, just be sure to plant your aqaurium heavily and everything should be fine, and good luck with the new fry!

 

[Labyrinth]

Thanks Fishkeeper

Looking at your post, I think will let the females give birth in the main tank this time, as i think they are very close to giving birth and I don’t want them to get them stressed out. I will let it be survival of the fittest for now and move the females earlier next time.

Again thanks for the advice, much appreciated!!

Lab

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Thanks Fishkeeper

Looking at your post, I think will let the females give birth in the main tank this time, as i think they are very close to giving birth and I don’t want them to get them stressed out. I will let it be survival of the fittest for now and move the females earlier next time.

Again thanks for the advice, much appreciated!!

Lab

You could always let her give birth in the main tank and then net out the new born fry as you see them, after this you can put them in the growing up tank - they would stand a better chance there.