What Do I Do?

[fishwife101]

Ok so firstly I am not up on my tropical fish but my husband is and we have a beautiful tank with platy, guppies and mollies. Anyway I need some help. Hubby is away for a week and have left me in charge, we have a pregnant guppy and a pregnant platty. I am worried they will have their babies whilest he is away and they will all get eaten by the other fish.

Should I get one of those seperator things for them and should I put the fish in now or wait until the babies are born?

Thanks

 

[Clarousel]

It really depends on whether you'd want to raise the fry because these fish do have lots of fry.

If your tank is heavily planted, a few fry may survive from hiding. You'd want to separate the pregnant fish from the rest if it's not though.

 

[fishwife101]

It really depends on whether you'd want to raise the fry because these fish do have lots of fry.

If your tank is heavily planted, a few fry may survive from hiding. You'd want to separate the pregnant fish from the rest if it's not though.

We have lots of plants in the tank so were hoping that would be enough? I might get a breeder net thing, will I put the pregnant fish in before she gives birth or just scoop the fry in when they are born?

 

[fishyfeet]

i would buy a breeding net, problem is do put the platy or the guppy in whichever gives birth first the other will eat some of the fry, i would be tempted to leave it to nature, who wants 30 odd platys and guppies anyway, di

 

[Clarousel]

It should be okay if they provide good hiding spots from the mama!

I would put the pregnant fish in right before she's gonna pop to ensure you'll get the fry. Scooping may be difficult and stress the fish out.

 

[MissTracy]

It wont be the first births you will have! I have never kept plattys, but have had numerous guppies....and when I say numerous I mean it! They breed like crazy. We started with 6 and now have about 40. Every couple weeks there are new fry in the tank. I don't separate....some fry get eaten. If I separated I would have hundreds! The surviving fry usually hide near the base of our plants or in the floating plants.
Good Luck!

 

[the_lock_man]

Putting the female in the breeder is more stressful to her than leaving her in the main tank - so much so that she may abort.

I would say leave her where she is, and let the fry take their chances - the reason why they have so many fry is that it is natural for fry to be eaten way before maturity.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Fishwife101.
As you are wanting, the plants may well be enough for saving enough fry. If you want to preserve a large number, go ahead with a breeder net but use it to protect the fry once they are dropped by the female.

 

[fishwife101]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

I think I will just let nature do its thing and leave them with the plants, maybe next time I will get a net thing. I am getting quite excited about them having babies which my husband will laugh at as Ive shown little to no interest to date hehe!

 

[Clarousel]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

I think I will just let nature do its thing and leave them with the plants, maybe next time I will get a net thing. I am getting quite excited about them having babies which my husband will laugh at as Ive shown little to no interest to date hehe!

The hobby grows on everyone