Platy Giving Premature Birth?

[seewan]

One of my platys started giving birth to premature fry today after I did a water change. I put her in a breeding trap incase some of the babies end up being alive. I think the stress from the water change caused her to give birth prematurely. I am wondering, since she started giving birth, will she not stop until all the babies are out? Or will she retain some of the babies inside her for another few days and I'll actually have a chance of getting some live fry? Thanks.

 

[kribensis12]

SHe will keep going until she has all of them. I am guessing that she is new because mollies do that alot when stressed from being moved to a new tank and the breeder dosent help at all.

 

[seewan]

Oh I see. I guess I shouldn't have changed my water today then!

Thanks for the reply.

 

[kribensis12]

It is not the water. Something must have really stressed her out. I will guess vacum, dropping somthing heavy, poking at the glass and screaming, kicking stand are about the only thing I can think of. Is she a new fish?

 

[seewan]

Yes she is a new fish...I got her about two weeks ago

I must have done something to stress her while changing the water then.

 

[theotheragentm]

Assuming your tap/well water is clean, there is not a problem with a water change. If you haven't tested your source water for when you do water changes, I would get it tested. Some taps have nitrates in them. Pour some water into a clean plastic container and let it sit for 24 hours. Then take it to the local fish store to get tested.

I don't believe it is highly likely that your water change caused enough stress to cause your fish to drop premature fry. I would skip the breeding trap as that normally causes more stress to the fish.

What is the size of your tank? What else is in the tank?

It may end up being just one of those things that happened, but if you can give us some more information, maybe we can try to rule out some of the things.

 

[kribensis12]

I am thinking that it did that because the water isnt right, also. Make sure your lfs tests nitrites because that caused alot of premature babies when I had a nitrite issue about 1 year ago.

 

[theotheragentm]

I am thinking that it did that because the water isnt right, also. Make sure your lfs tests nitrites because that caused alot of premature babies when I had a nitrite issue about 1 year ago.

It's not simply nitrites you should be testing for in your tank. Do a test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. They go hand in hand as they are a cycle. You should check your source water too. Sometimes there are things in the tap/well water that people don't expect.

Assuming your water is the same every time when you do water changes, the pH should not be the problem. Platy can handle quite a range of pH levels and stable is more important than anything with them, assuming you are not at extremes.

If you still suspec that it's related to the water change, how about temperature? Does your water temperature match what is already in the tank as closely as possible. There is no need to use a thermometer. A hand test normally does the trick. Too much differing temperature water may shock the fish.

Let us know.