Platy fish

[Ashkay]

So I’m fairly new to caring for fish. I think I have everything in order as far as keeping my water levels good.
Recently my platy fish had babies, my only concern is why are they still grey? Researching online I read they get there color in like 4-6 weeks it’s been way past that. At least 4 months. And they are getting bigger and no color. The mom and dad were orange the mom had black spots. Anyone know why they are still grey

 

[Colin_T]

Baby livebearers like mollies, platies and swordtails show their colour when born.

The three fish in the picture look like mollies, not platies and are silver marble mollies. Silver being the grey body colour, marble being the black spotting.

 

[Ashkay]

There platy. I had mollies before. Although I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure I bought two platy. My two black mollies died unfortunately. Here is a pic of the mom

 

[Cherrys]

I agree with Colin the babies look like mollies. Is that the only female adult you have in the tank? The babies tails are thinner and longer and do not look like they came from her.

Livebears can store sperm for several months, maybe she was carrying sperm from a swordtail? Platies cannot cross with mollies, but they can with swords. That could explain the elongated body, although I'm not aware of any grey colored swordtails.

 

[Ashkay]

I agree with Colin the babies look like mollies. Is that the only female adult you have in the tank? The babies tails are thinner and longer and do not look like they came from her.

Livebears can store sperm for several months, maybe she was carrying sperm from a swordtail? Platies cannot cross with mollies, but they can with swords. That could explain the elongated body, although I'm not aware of any grey colored swordtails.

When I had black mollies they were before I had gotten the platies. They were never in the same tank. The only two adult platies I had were the mom in the picture and the other adult was the dad he was solid orange. I’ve mainly had platy and I’ve only purchased two black mollies which did not survive. I see slight orange color on one but it’s only in one spot. Others have a hint of orange when they hit the light. This is the best I could get if the color I see

 

[AilyNC]

I had a silver and orange with black spots dad platy. His fry are longer than the other fry from same mom but she was purchased pregnant from unknown dad.

It is odd the orange hasn't come through but there's a chance the sperm for this batch wasn't from the male in your tank. As stated by others they can hold sperm for a very long time.

 

[Ashkay]

When I had black mollies they were before I had gotten the platies. They were never in the same tank. The only two adult platies I had were the mom in the picture and the other adult was the dad he was solid orange. I’ve mainly had platy and I’ve only purchased two black mollies which did not survive. I see slight orange color on one but it’s only in one spot. Others have a hint of orange when they hit the light. This is the best I could get if the color I see

I’ve also never owned swordtail fish

 

[Ashkay]

I had a silver and orange with black spots dad platy. His fry are longer than the other fry from same mom but she was purchased pregnant from unknown dad.

It is odd the orange hasn't come through but there's a chance the sperm for this batch wasn't from the male in your tank. As stated by others they can hold sperm for a very long time.

Yes, I can agree with that. They may have been from another platy. Because the other male was solid orange. I know they a definitely not mollies I may be fairly new but I’ve had mollies and they look completely different.

 

[Ashkay]

Whatever they are I will continue they stay healthy. I’m not debating what kind of fish they are. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[AilyNC]

Whatever they are I will continue they stay healthy. I’m not debating what kind of fish they are. Thanks for the feedback.

They look absolutely fine anyway.