Pregnant Platy... Need Help Please.

[becca's mommy]

Hey all. I am new at this whole fish thing. I have a mickey mouse platy that is pregnant. I have been reading the post about how to tell if they are going to "pop" and I think she is ready. My male has been chasing the poor girl all over the place. But I have put her in a plastic incubator and she keeps trying to get out. She keeps running into the side. I was just wondering if that is normal or if I should release her. I dont want to upset her.
Thanks,
Rose


well i tried to put pics on here but i am having trouble. sorry.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Rose.

The little breeding traps are very small compared to most fish we keep. Many, if not all, females will do their best to escape from one and will be stressed being confined to a breeder. There are lots of people who swear they are the way to go but I am more likely to swear at one. My females go into a separate small tank when it is their time. The tank is only about 38 litres but can hold most small females in some comfort and I can fill the tank with cover to help the fry survive. The end result is a much calmer female and high survival rates of the fry. Once the fry are born, I remove the female and raise the fry right in the tank until they are either big enough for the community tank or get moved to a proper grow out tank with good swimming room.

With enough room for proper care, a birth tank on a peaceful fish like a molly can end up looking like this.

 

[HCpetraitis]

Welcome! My only question is does she have the signs of being squared off or is the male just chasing her? I had a male who loved all the females even though they were all already pregnant. He wasnt one of my brightest fish. If she is squared off keep her in. If not let her free and keep an eye on her.

 

[becca's mommy]

Welcome! My only question is does she have the signs of being squared off or is the male just chasing her? I had a male who loved all the females even though they were all already pregnant. He wasnt one of my brightest fish. If she is squared off keep her in. If not let her free and keep an eye on her.

I am not real sure. I was trying to compare her to the other female and the male and she dont look as round on the bottom but she dont really look squared off either. I am just so confused.

 

[HCpetraitis]

Can you give us some pictures. I was in the same situation when I started with my fish.