Fish Addict

I have had platies in my tank since when I first started it, with at least 2 females at all times, yet I have only had about 3-4 batches of fry. Is this normal? Is there any reason that they wouldn't be spawning? Also, none of my other fish have ever spawned either...

TFA101

Fish spawn because the conditions are right. For example, when it comes to wild corydorases, rainfall triggers spawning and breeding. In captivity, positive changes in the water chemistry (ammonia, nitrite/nitrate readings lowering ), a slight cooler change in water temperature, and water changes will also trigger spawning in these catfish. For other fish, such as your danios, platys and tetras, will require other things such as soft, acidic water and such. But usually fish spawn when they're in the mood. I guess your fish have not been sexually aroused by each other yet. Keep up on research, as well as that ratio for the platies, and you might end up with something.

Fish Addict

Would it be better to have more males, to get the females pregnant, or more females to get pregnant, since I may want to get 1 or 2 more platies...

TFA101

the standard ratio is one male/ two to three females. This way, the males can divide their attentions among more than one female