pregnant platys?

[gemscott54]

How can you tell if you're platy is pregnant? Im fairly new to fish keeping and ive noticed that one of our fish (who im sure is female) is pregnant! she has a enlarged stomach+i think she is pregnant. Do i need to get a separate tank to keep the fry in? how long are they pregnant for before they have the babies?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

to the forum.

This section is to introduce yourself. Livebearer q's in the livebearer forum, general q's in the beginners forum.

Answer: if she is big and has a visible gravid spot (black blot near anal fin). You could use a breeding trap, but I would suggest a 5-10 gallon tank.

 

[GSD]

 

[jflowers]

to the forum.

Jon

 

[wetwetwet]

HiYa and welcome g54

*moved from newbies*



www

 

[vidiots]

The decision on wether or not to move the fry to a seperate tank, is a personal choice. The questions you have to ask yourself is do you have the room for dozens of fry every month? Do you have a way of getting rid of the excess? Do you enjoy the extra work involved in caring for many more tiny fish?

If you do nothing many fewer fry will survive, however usually a few will. If you seperate the fry in a tank where they will be safe you will have many more of them survive which will require more tanks and eventually a place to get rid of the excess.

Some of the things you can do with excess is to keep your favorites for future breeding, give away the others to friends, give or sell the extras to your local pet store, or feed the extras to a larger fish.

Some fish lovers may object to that last option, but not being a vegitarian myself, I don't have a problem with one animal eating another. Heck I enjoy fish sticks, and keeping fish as pets, not that I would personally eat my pets.

 

[Dragon 98]

If a platy is pregnant it should have a blak spot at the base of the belly by the anal fin, this is called a grave spot. They stay pregnat for about a month. they give birth to live young so when they hatch they might get eaten. I would recomend a breeding trap. I hope this helps you.