When To Put Into Breeding Trap?

[GeoffLondon]

Hi guys,

I wanted a little advice as to when to transfer the female platies into the breeding trap. I have two females and noticed one was very pregnant, however...I didn't move her because of the risk of aborting the babies. Unfortunately she must have had them over night and the Angel fish had a very nice breakfast! Now, my other female is getting there....can I risk moving her now or should I wait until I think she's just about to pop?

 

[iain.betson]

Hi I had the same thing happen a few days ago. So i put the other female in the trap expecting for her to be in there a couple of days and she gave birth the very next day while I was at work.
Put some java moss or some other knid of plant foliage in there it will help to not stress her too much, and give the little fellas some where to hide when they arive.
Best of luck

 

[GeoffLondon]

Hi I had the same thing happen a few days ago. So i put the other female in the trap expecting for her to be in there a couple of days and she gave birth the very next day while I was at work.
Put some java moss or some other knid of plant foliage in there it will help to not stress her too much, and give the little fellas some where to hide when they arive.
Best of luck

Cool, I'll try that then. It seems like I've been waiting for so long for the littluns and I was so disappointed when I saw she'd had them! Maybe the other female with come up trumps

 

[MinGraphics]

Hi, you will not risk losing the babies by putting the Mom in her trap, after a few batches of babies you will be able to time it right down to the day. I can always tell when it's close, they get that look , I will have these babies or Pop! Have fun with the new little ones.

 

[GeoffLondon]

Hi, you will not risk losing the babies by putting the Mom in her trap, after a few batches of babies you will be able to time it right down to the day. I can always tell when it's close, they get that look , I will have these babies or Pop! Have fun with the new little ones.

Yeah I know what you mean by "The Look". I've previously kept mollies and guppies and you could always tell when she was about to pop. Never had platies and thought she had a couple more days in here....oops!

 

[Annastasia]

If you're serious about raising fry, look into a fry tank. Less stress for the mother, and safe for the fry. It's a winning combination. Breeder traps/nets are stressful on the mother, as you know, and they are good for the fry for 1-2 weeks at best. After that, you risk stunting and other issues. And they'll hardly be big enough at 1-2 weeks to not fit in the other fish's mouths....

 

[GeoffLondon]

Wel I obviously put her in the trap at the right time...she's having babies as I write!!! WOOOO!

3 so far but they other fish are going crazy so I've turned off the light so she can have them in peace. Will let you know how many later!

So happy!

 

[iain.betson]

Wel I obviously put her in the trap at the right time...she's having babies as I write!!! WOOOO!

3 so far but they other fish are going crazy so I've turned off the light so she can have them in peace. Will let you know how many later!

So happy!

Cool 8) , have you got a digital camera? you could post us a pic
Mine are now four days old and all atill alive

 

[GeoffLondon]

I have some bad, bad news! Seems the Angel fish were so intent on breakfast that they actually managed to suck the fry through the breeding trap sides! I couldn't believe it until I saw them do it!

I was a little late but I've managed to cover the sides with clingfilm and am getting a fry tank up and going. However, that went pear shaped as well as the heater decided to explode!

I've now got one poor little baby swimming around...but at least its protected, and Mum's still in there as I think she's got a few more in her. Oh dear.

 

[iain.betson]

I have some bad, bad news! Seems the Angel fish were so intent on breakfast that they actually managed to suck the fry through the breeding trap sides! I couldn't believe it until I saw them do it!

I was a little late but I've managed to cover the sides with clingfilm and am getting a fry tank up and going. However, that went pear shaped as well as the heater decided to explode!

I've now got one poor little baby swimming around...but at least its protected, and Mum's still in there as I think she's got a few more in her. Oh dear.

Sorry to hear the bad news
I saw my rainbows trying the same thing with mine but my trap is made from plastic and the holes are too small.

 

[GeoffLondon]

Yeah my trap is plastic too and I just couldn't believe it when it happened. Think I saved two though....we'll see what happens!

 

[sally2]

If you're serious about raising fry, look into a fry tank. Less stress for the mother, and safe for the fry.

hi what size breeding tank would you recommend?

thank you

Hi what worries me is ive got 4 pregnant platties at the same time.

Im worried that if they go into a breeding tank together the one who gives birth first does not eat the babies for 12 hrs but the other mums to be do.

help!

thanks

 

[Annastasia]

5+ gallons. The biggest you can afford is the best though. You usually have multiple generations of fry in there at the same time, so more space is always good.

 

[sally2]

5+ gallons. The biggest you can afford is the best though. You usually have multiple generations of fry in there at the same time, so more space is always good.

Hi How old before the older fry start eating the younger?

thank you - i suppose by then they are in the big tank?

 

[Annastasia]

Oh, that's not what I was worried about. Though it could be an issue, it usually isn't. I was talking more about size because you could have hundreds of fry in there within the course of a few months, knowing Livebearers!