topperHarley

I have a platty that looks to be ready to give birth. I can see the black spots of the Fry's eyes quite well. I put her in one of those small breeder boxes last night. I just hate the idea of leaving her in there for an extended period of time. It does have the bubbler attachment on it. I am just worried about the mental torture. I am sure I will be able to estimate birth time much better next time since I am observing this one so closely. I also am wondering if I should simply let her give birth in the community tank. I do have several plants to include a java fern in there. Any information that might make this experience a bit more pleasent for her would be appreciated. I was surprised as to how little information is available on the 123's of platty pregnancy from soup to nuts. Thanks in advance.

Gunnie

What other fish do you have in the tank? You may want to just leave her in the out with the others, but a lot of your babies will get eaten. I'm not sure if platies eat their babies like guppies do, so it's really up to you on what you want to do. What other fish do you have in the tank?

LarryDavid

Gunnie Platys do eat their young also...

The best idea is to move them to a seperate tank a small one 3-10 gallons would be fine with plenty of natural plants for them to hide in and also to puriy the water, if your doing this make sure the tank as a undergravel filter or a sponge filter...


Another way is to get a tank divider for the babies not alot of space bbut just a bit until there big enough to be put in with the rest


Hope this has helped

topperHarley

I have her in a breeder tank now that has the V at the bottom for the fry to fall through. I have an angel, a corey, Hasboras and neons in this tank. I think many would get eaten. I also am not in the position to spend another $50-60 bucks to get another tank considering I just bought a 29 gallon this week. Anyway, I am no expert, but I have to think that she will be giving birth within the week. If they are only pregnant for 21 days or so and I can already see several eye balls, she must be right about there. Unless someone thinks I am way off here or that I am risking the mothers health, I will leave her in the breeder tank for now. Thanks for the info and any future comments. PS This is the breeder tank that has the 4 suction cups and a small bubbler filtration system.

Richard

Once upon a time I'd move a pregnant fish to a special tank for the fry to be born, but I started to realize it was a bit traumatic for some fish having to cope with a new tank as well as the birthing process.. I changed the whole process by adding more plants to my live-bearer tank and constantly monitoring the pregnant fish, the minute I realize they've given birth (for the most part, overnight), I seek out the surviving fry and net them over to their own tank.. I've come to realize in doing it that way, I've aided in the natural-selection process, because only the strongest fry tend to survive those several hours while I'm asleep( the weaker ones I assume are caught and eaten, while the stronger ones are too fast and adept at hiding among the plants).. since going that route all my fry grow to be healthy and I've lost only one Swordtail after the birthing process, so I'm thinking I may be on to something.. more and more I realize fish, especially live-bearers are big 'Nervous Nellies' when they're pregnant, so why stress them out by putting them in a completely new environment when the right amount of plants and due diligence can do the trick.

topperHarley

The good news is that my gut seems to be pretty good at this already. She gave birth within 12 hours of being placed in the breeder tank. The bad news is that the fry did not make it. I am very upset at the fact that I paid good money for a piece of S^&%. I setup the tank exactly as instructed. The fry did fall through the V to the bottom of the tank. I moved the mother from the breeder back into the community. All seemed well. My wife and I come home from dinner and I realize there are only 3 of 7 fry left. We then watch in horror as two of the three drop through one of the tiny slits in the bottom and get eaten right away by the angel fish. After struggling to setup the breeder tank with gravel at the bottom of the tank and a small plant, I thought we saved one. The next morning he was gone as well. First let me say that there was no grate of any kind to place on the bottom, nor was there any mention of one in the instructions. This tank also has an attachment on either end for an air stone and strip of filter media.So why the F&*^ would they sell a breeder tank that is meant to protect fry that has openings big enough for the fry to escape. The fricking picture in the advertisement shows a platty in it for Christ sakes. Sorry, had to vent. This will be going back to the store today.

LilaBean

oh-- i'm sorry--- my advice would be to get some live plants for your fry to hide in and just leave the mother to deliver her fry in the main tank next time-- that is so sad-- LILA