New to platies

[Platyluver]

Hello everyone! I am new to keeping Platies and so I am gathering some info. I do have one red wagtail platy that is certainly pregnant and I want to know if you have any advise about what she will do when she is close to having her fry. There is not a male in the tank yet, just another female platy and 2 black mollies. That will probably help in determining her behavior. I also have a few other concerns. I want to get more platies soon but I don't know if I should add a male if I find one I like. There are multiple live plants and an ornament they can hide in. Also, what are your views on a breeding traps or nets. I did buy the plastic box you can attach to the side of the tank but should I let her have the fry in that tank or the bigger tank and then try to catch the fry? Another concern I have is the filter. Is it common for the fry to be sucked toward the filter and get stuck? If it is, what can you do to prevent that?

Thank you in advance for any advise you have and I hope your answers to these questions will help other people looking at this forum.

 

[OldMan47]

There is a pinned topic at the top of the common livebearer section by 5teady that is fairly good at helping you determine when a female is getting close to a drop. I have a link to it in my signature area called "ready to drop".

 

[Harlequins]

Hi and welcome

2/3 females to 1 male is a good ratio,has oldman says have a read up on the pinned topics at the top of the page,this will tell you about pregnancy and birth of fry

Females can store sperm for several months and can still drop fry without a male around,if you want lots of fry get a male

With fry you can set up your own fry tank,use breeding traps,although these are best to keep fry for a few weeks or until they are big enough not to get eaten by the adults.
Has you have lots of live plants in your tank,fry will hide in these,

putting a stocking or a piece of sponge around the filter intake will stop fry getting stucked up.
Sooner or later you will get overrun with fry,has they normally drop every month

Good luck