Pregnant Platy

[David]

My female platy is pregnant and has been since september 1, when I saw the two mate. So she has been pregnant for a bit over 2 weeks. Im really on edge now because I don't know when she will give birth and I want to save most of the fry, but without tearing the tank apart to get at them. When shall i place her in the breeding trap? She becoems increasingly fat and boxlike each day. i can't see the gravid spot, however, maybe because it is a lighter colour strain. What should I do?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Place her in the trap in a week. Generally, they take around four weeks. I've always suggested 3 weeks after conception.

 

[Def]

I didn't bother with a trap. I let my platy give birth, then spent a few hours chasing fry around the tank to get them into a breeding net. Platy fry are pretty clever, as the fry in the breeding net grew I spotted 4 more fry in the main tank that had survived. From what I've read, it stresses the fish less if you don't move the mother into a trap. 2 things I found - 1) the platy fry will swim for the sides of the tank and try and bury themselves in the gravel, so look there first, 2) they get sucked into the filter very easily, so if your filter has big enough vents open it up *over a net or similar*, and a few fry will probably drop out.

Disclaimer: I AM A NOOB.

 

[littleme1969]

I didn't bother with a trap. I let my platy give birth, then spent a few hours chasing fry around the tank to get them into a breeding net. Platy fry are pretty clever, as the fry in the breeding net grew I spotted 4 more fry in the main tank that had survived. From what I've read, it stresses the fish less if you don't move the mother into a trap. 2 things I found - 1) the platy fry will swim for the sides of the tank and try and bury themselves in the gravel, so look there first, 2) they get sucked into the filter very easily, so if your filter has big enough vents open it up *over a net or similar*, and a few fry will probably drop out.

Disclaimer: I AM A NOOB.

I agree... It would cause too much stress to put her in a trap, and most will hold off the birth till they go back in the main tank anyhow. They need to feel secure.
Plus platy fry asr very clever little guys. They hide and will only come out when its safe. Best to leave her too it and find what you can when shes finished. That way you don't risk the mother aswell. Plus she will find it easier to eat fry in a breeder trap as the babies can't get away.

 

[David]

Plus she will find it easier to eat fry in a breeder trap as the babies can't get away.

Not true... the breeding trap has little slots for the fry to swim through into a lower compartment, which the mother can't get at. But I guess I won't use it cause I don't wanna stress/lose her. She's been acting quite strange lately... resting near the bottom in some plants...