When To Put The Platy Into The Breeding Net?

[hot_hazza3]

hay i have a pregnant platy, well i think i have im new to all this and so unsure if she is pregnant or not.
Also i would like to know when i should put her into the net.
What are the signs of her being heavly pregnant?
can anybody help? cheers

 

[altselgreen]

Hi hot_hazza3

You would know when a live bearer is pregnant because she would have a gravid spot where her abdomen is. I'm not sure when to put in the net, probably once she is pregnant I guess. Platys are great fish when they are young so good luck and I hope she is pregnant!

HLH

Sam

 

[rosebud280282]

My platty is pregnant and when the light shines through her belly I can see lots of black dots (the eyes I think). It usually takes about a month for them to reach gestation (sp) When she looks ready to pop and I have also heard that when she starts spending more time away from the group shes nearly ready.

 

[silver tipped]

Hi,

Personally I wouldn't use breeder net/traps as it can stress out the female. Also if you do use them you can't leave them in there for too long.

I would suggest that you either

a) leave her in the main tank and let the fry take their chances. This works for me as I have one 5 week old fry and four 2 day old fry in the tank at the mo. After a while my other fish give up trying to catch them. I think its a case of 'god not more fry'

OR

B) you could get a small fry tank. Cycle it properly and then you can place the female in this and let her have her fry. Make sure there are plants and hiding places. I believe you can leave the female in this for a while before she gives birth and so taking the guess work out of things. Once she has had her fry and a rest, place her back in the main tank.

 

[bgormley]

Hi there
None of my female platys have a very noticeable grvid spot, but i have 4 platy fry at the moment which i rescued from the main tank. They're quitre happy in the breeding net for the time being but i think i'm going to get a fry tank.

 

[hot_hazza3]

My plays gravid spot is showing so i hope all is ok... i have had a lot of differnt views on the breeding nets and birth nets so im totally unsure still...but at the moment she is in there just incase she does give birth to the fry soon...if she hasn't within the next 24 hours i will take her out and then put her back into the main tank...the man at my LPS said guppy fish and mollies are pregnant for 10 days or so??? how can this be true if everyone is saying its about 3-4 week period...is he mental or what? any view would be great...thank you "H"

 

[silver tipped]

Hi,

After being on this forum for a while, I have learnt that everyone has there own take on fish keeping. Yes there are general rules (don't keep male betta together for instance) but alot of it comes down to how well you know your own fish.

My platies hate a breeding net but other people have great success. Once you have watched your fish for a while you will soon come to know what they like or don't like.

Don't stress about the fry. They will arrive when they are ready and will survive or not. Although you can help the situation, by doing what you think is right, you can not change the outcome if it is meant to be. (God i've gone all philosophical)

Enjoy your fish - So you may lose fry this time but next you will be more prepared. trust me once they start giving birth they don't stop.

 

[Annastasia]

My plays gravid spot is showing so i hope all is ok... i have had a lot of differnt views on the breeding nets and birth nets so im totally unsure still...but at the moment she is in there just incase she does give birth to the fry soon...if she hasn't within the next 24 hours i will take her out and then put her back into the main tank...the man at my LPS said guppy fish and mollies are pregnant for 10 days or so??? how can this be true if everyone is saying its about 3-4 week period...is he mental or what? any view would be great...thank you "H"

He's wrong. It is about 3-4 weeks, sometimes a bit longer.

Your breeder net plan sounds good. After that, I'd take her out and keep her out. Floating plants in the main tank will provide cover for fry.