Still No Fry?

[Tacklebury]

Hi guys,

I posted here about 6 weeks ago (http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=186802&hl=skip+orange ) about my Platy/molly called Skip.

My tank is now approx 8 weeks old, and I noticed that she seemed pregnant. I posted and you guys confirmed that she appeared to be. Well 6 wks on and still no fry.

I have had a few teething problems with the tank, all my own fault for introducing fish that weren't suitable. Anyway the Ruby shark has been removed and things have settled down now.

Skip is now considerably larger than she was when I brought her, her belly is massive and she is very aggressive towards the other platys at times. I have also noticed that the other female is starting to swell up, so looks like there could be more to come.

Sadly I’m at work right now, so when I get back I’ll edit this and add a photo for you guys to see.

Is there anyway I can force birth? Or is it common for the fish to hold on to the fry for longer than 4 wks?

Any advice will be warmly received.

Simon

 

[orange shark]

Turning off the light helped my platy give birth

Jack

 

[lilfishie]

maybe add a few more hiding places/plants to help her feel secure

 

[Tacklebury]

Thanks for the advice, i will pop down to my LFS tomorrow and i'll grab some more plants.

Here are some pictures of Skip, and also a shot of the tank.

Skip - side view

Skip - front view

Tank Layout.

Hope these help.

Simon

 

[lilfishie]

are you sure she is pregnant and not just a big girl, had this with one of my guppies

do any of the other fish chase/follow here around? which could stress her out and make her keep hold of the fry

 

[corey01]

my platy is doing the same thing shes been pregnant for about a month and a half im still sure shes pregnant!

 

[Tacklebury]

are you sure she is pregnant and not just a big girl, had this with one of my guppies

do any of the other fish chase/follow here around? which could stress her out and make her keep hold of the fry

Umm, the males do, but mostly she chases them. I have seperated Skip into a breeder tank and she goes mad, constantly swimming around looking for a way out. Eventually she jumps out.

I did have a ruby shark but he went back to the LFS i'm afraid, he killed 9 fish in 4 days, so he may have stressed skip a bit, but she's been gone for 4 days.

I think she is pregnant as the other famale is now starting to grow a fat gut, so i think she might also be expecting.

 

[lilfishie]

hm she does look pregnant. how long have you had her? has she got any fatter within the 6 weeks? has the fighter bothered her at all? any chance she could of had them and they got eaten and she is now pregnant again?

 

[Tacklebury]

Hi, Sadly the fighter was one of the victims of the shark. Even when Yoshie was in the tank they got on fine.

When i got her she was a small not fat fish, this was 8 wks ago, give or take a week or two. She has ballooned since, so i would be pretty confident that she is definitely preggers.

 

[lilfishie]

sorry to hear about your fighter, and i don't have a clue why she hasn't dropped yet, maybe give her a few more days

 

[Tacklebury]

sorry to hear about your fighter, and i don't have a clue why she hasn't dropped yet, maybe give her a few more days

Thanks for your posts, i guess i have to wait!

 

[lilfishie]

no problem just happy to help, even though mollies are probably my weakest livebearer knowledge wise, hope she does drop so nice healthy babies and soon