eagerinsight

I now have 20 new platy fry, the thing is I only have two 10 gallon tanks. I can't fit 20 new fish into these tanks. I already have 5 platies and they seem cramped. What can I do with these fry? I have them separated from the big fish, but I'm freaking out because I have no where to put them. I've asked my local fish stores and they will not take them for FREE. They told me to let the others eat them, survival of the fittest! I can't do this, so I have have no options, any ideas?

susitna-flower

LFS usually won't take fry, but after they reach an inch, you might be able to find them a home. I keep live bearers in tanks with lots of cover for the fry. Rocks, shells, and java moss all help with the survival rate.

This is going to be an on going problem if you keep these fish....it seems heartless, but out of all the molly babies I have had I've only sold 5 of them....Most go over into my 125 tank. In there I have had 7 grow up to adult size....most get eaten by my nocturnal predators.....Black Ghost knife, and Raphael cat......I have even seen the two rainbows eat fry....The only long term solution is to get rid of the live bearers...if you don't have room, or don't feed them to other fish...

COBettaCouple

Do you have any local fish clubs? That can often be a place to find them homes. Unless you got your platys from a breeder, honestly I'd expect to lose at least 40% of them, if not more. The pet stores just don't tend to supply us with hearty stock. Vita-Chem helps though and you could look at sites like freecycle and craigslist for finding them homes too.