New Member And I Need A Little Help

[Brendan88]

Hello everyone. One of my platy fishes is pregnant. I have brought a fish hatchery/ fry trap. Iv been advised to put her in it now but I was just wondering how lOng to leave her in it for after. Do they just give birth to them all straight away or is there more to it?

Thanks

 

[fee de mer]

Livebearers breed like rabbits so be prepared for a lot of pregnancies. Does she have a large squared off body and is her gravid spot obvious? You should not leave her in there for any more than 48hrs as she will become stressed. She will give birth to them in batches (anything from 30mins-2days imbetween each lot). Does your trap have a place for the fry to fall into and some kind of floating plant. Fry swim to the surface when born so that offers some cover, otherwise the mother may well eat them. You will know when she has finished as she will be much slimmer, you must take her out then. You need to feed your fry 2-3 times a day on food which you have crushed into powder.

 

[Brendan88]

She has a dark patch. There is quite a dark spot aswell. I wouldn't say boxed but looks really big. The male keeps chasing her, would that not stress her out. The woman in the shop said to put her straight in it. Thers different advice from loads of people so it's a lil confusing.

 

[fee de mer]

The male will be trying to mate with her again, by squared off I mean that the bottom of her belly is flat if it is then put her in the trap if not she is not ready yet

 

[Brendan88]

Ok then. It does look a lil flat On the bottom. How long do the usually stay preg for? Is it the same with Mollie aswell as I have seen the male mate with both female now.
Thanks for the advice again.

 

[fee de mer]

They are usually pregnant for about 30 days. Yeah the same principle applies for all livebearers (the most common being guppies, platys, mollies and swordtails). Was she preganant when you bought her?

 

[Brendan88]

No we have had the platys for about 3 months id say maby more. We only just got the female mollies yesterday.

 

[fee de mer]

Oh okay well good luck hope she drops soon, remember don't leave her in the trap any longer than 48hrs

 

[Brendan88]

Ok thanks for the advice . So do I would be nice to have some baby platys