rinty88

I bought my first tank (5 gal) about 2 weeks ago. After running it for a bit I bought 2 platys. Unfortunately 1 soon died and the other one wasn't looking too well. Well, a week ago she had babies! A couple of days ago, however the mom died and my fry are all alone! At first they were hiding all over the tank but now that they're all alone they've started doing something weird. They are all or almost all gathered in the front corner of the tank near the top of the tank (which allowed me to count them and the last count was 22!). I've been having trouble heating the tank. When I first put in the thermometer it read a little over 80! I only use the heater when the temp drops down around 75 (mostly at night with the AC) but I'm so afraid that the heat will kill the babies! But now I'm thinking that because they are gathered under the light, where it's warm, the water is too cold.
Also, is my tank too small for this number of fry? I'm planning on selling a lot of them when they're older and bigger.

Barbrella

You say you ran your tank "for a bit". Do you mean you ran the filter? Do you know about cycling tanks, and do you have a test kit? IF you didn't cycle the tank, it's probably full of ammonia and nitrites and that's what killed the fish.

Also, 5 gals is way too small for even 2 adult platies, and way WAY too small for all those babies. Unless you get a much bigger tank, those babies won't make it. 22 platies would need around 40 gallons to grow to adult size.

If a few of them do survive, they will start breeding the second they're old enough, and I doubt anyone is going to buy platies, since as you see, they breed like rabbits and really have no value. Most pet stores won't even take them for free.

Faye Rod

Hi - Welcome to Fishlore! Please read the topics under the Beginning Articles - especially about the nitrogen cycle and the advantages of cycling without fish.

You are lucky to have the platy fry. We have two - the rest get eaten quickly. They are fun to watch. They like lots of hiding places - and plants. Frill plant is a good one to put on the surface of the water and caves are great down below. If they survive and get bigger you can then face the worry of not overstocking your tank.

It would be a good idea to do a 50% water change immediately, get the API liquid test kit and see what is really happening in your tank. Sounds like ammonia is spiking and killing your fish. Good luck!

jdhef

It's probably better for the fry that the parents are dead. I do believe that they would eat their fry.

John

Alessa

I love platys my little Crash is my pride and joy! yes,you should get a test kit and a bigger tank for those babies. Meanwhile, change 50-40% of the water every day and treat it with Prime. Congrats for the babies

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

I'm sorry you lost the adults. The fry like it a little warmer than adults and are ok at 80F. Keep it above 76F to reduce the risk of disease.

Alessa

btw, i dont know why didnt I mention it before, most likely your fishes died of ammonia poisoning due to your tank being uncycled. Please take a minute and read this article
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

good luck and welcome to fishlore

goggles

never get livebearers until you are ready for them, i have been breeding them for a few years and they still catch me off guard.