New To Community Tropical Fish Tanks

[Kryp2nites]

Hi I am new to the community tank thing. I have a 29 gallon tank with glo fish sunburst plat ties and Mickey mouse tails. I have a few questions. How do you know with these breeds of fish which are male and female because I have heard so many conflicting stories. I think ( excluding the my four glows) I have four female and two males.

Second thing is how then do you know the females are pregnant? Should I put them in a breeder. I have read so many conflicting stories there too too. Man I have a headache

I am downloading pictures to my dropbox now so should have some up by tomorrow if that helps


Thanks in advance for any advice and help

 

[Louiseness]

it's fairly easy to tell platies apart. If you look at their fins on the abdomen just before the base of the tail, the male has a long, pointed fin and the female has a rounded fin. Also females are usually bigger and fatter so that might give you a hint.

 

[fluttermoth]

If you have male and female livebearers shring a tank, the females will be pregnant.

It's not recommended to use breeding traps; they're too small and stressful for the mother fish (and can cause her to miscarry) and too small to grow fry on in.

If you want to breed properly, you'll need another tank; if you just want a few fry to survive, then just make sure there are enough hiding places in your main tank; lots of fine leaved plants (cabomba, elodea and Java moss are all easy to grow and work well) is the best way.

 

[Kryp2nites]

Well I took her out of the trap but left it in there so when I see the fry I can use it to transfer them.
I h have a smaller 5 gallon tank that I am just going to get ready today because I am not sure when they are going to be ready thanks for all the help