ok u fishsperts, its help your local newbie

[sumer_kay]

I just bought a female platy, who was pregnant (who knew?) anyways, I've never had a fish give birth, in fact, I'm new to the whole fish thing period. Tell me what I need, and how long they are prego. I have a male in the tank with her (fish specs below in signature) who nips at her..is this a problem? Do I need a seperate tank/net thingy? (I don't have either) I'd like to let them stay in this tank, but All I have is 1 cave, and 4 fake plants....need more don't I. maybe moss? or a live plant? Can live plants grow in aquarium rock? help me. Thanks =)

 

[fishy frenzy]

they are prenent for 28 to 34 days

u can put the female in a breeding net when she is due to drop

you could do with a few more hidden place if you dont put the female in a net or breeding tank

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Do you want most of the fry to survive?

You can attach java moss and ferns to rocks with rubber bands or nylon strands. The java moss should be a good source of microscopic animals for food.

Don't move the female if she is about to drop. This stress will force her to drop prematurely. Note when she drops. If the temperature is near 78, you should place her in a breeding trap three weeks later. She'll drop the week after.

Add another female to keep the male away from her long enough for her to drop.

 

[sumer_kay]

Do you want most of the fry to survive?



Don't move the female if she is about to drop. This stress will force her to drop prematurely. Note when she drops. If the temperature is near 78, you should place her in a breeding trap three weeks later. She'll drop the week after.

yes


You mean she'll give birth after she drops right...err you said she'll drop 3 weeks after she drops??I'm confused. How can I tell when she drops? (like women during pregnany?)

 

[babyfish]

Your platy is a live bearer and can store sperm for quite a while to fertilize eggs at different times. When people speak of fish "dropping" they mean giving birth. Your platy will give birth approxiamately every 3 weeks or so until she has used up the stored sperm, if you have a male he will continue to replenish the sperm packets inside the female.
If you can afford to set up a small tank to put the mother in about a week before she gives birth, then move the female to the breeding net for about a week to recover after the birth as she is far more sexually attractive to the male at this time.
Feed the fry 3-4 times a day on crushed flake and small live foods.
Do small(20%) water changes daily.
Good luck

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Also, they store packets of sperm for either 8 drops or months. They're pretty much the same.

What temperature is your tank at? What are you going to do with all the fry?

You can also feed them live or frozen baby brine shrimp and liquid fry food.

 

[sumer_kay]

What temperature is your tank at? What are you going to do with all the fry?

My tank is at 76 degrees (with the heater off ) But when my hubby gets home I am off to purchase one more female platy to get my male to leave my prego gurl alone, and some java moss for the fry to feed from, and hide in B) . It's going to look awful funny in my neon theemed tank (neon gravel, and cave, glow in the dark plants) My tank just keeps growing ....At this rate I'll need a bigger one soon.
And, umm., What do I do with the fry? 5 or 6 I can handle but how many do they have? Maybe the petstore will want them? Guess I should have thought of that.
:stupid: