Breeder box for platys or not?

I have a 55 gallon cycled tank and a dozen assorted platys . ( more females than males) Been trying to educate myself on their breeding habits. I have a 20 gallon long grow out tank.
Some say using a breeding box is too stressful on the females . True or False??
Would appreciate any input . Thanks

 

I use breeder baskets for my female guppies only when I see them acting like they are about to give birth. If it's timed right they are only in there for day or two. If you do it too soon it is indeed unnecessary stress which can lead to premature fry and/or the female holding them longer than they normally would.

Ideally you would move the expecting females into a separate tank full of floating plants to let them give birth in peace. Shortly after she gives birth you move her back to the main tank.

 

Breeder box/net only stresses out the fish

 

Well, a breeder net or breeder box won't stress a fish out right away. But it's not meant for a long stay in there. As already been mentioned overhere, if you really wanna use such a facility, put a female in when she's really due.
Let me remind everyone that in olden days. such boxes were normal to use. And there was hardly some stress till none. But again, it comes down to the moment of putting a female in such a box or net.
But I do have to admit that I do prefer a female to drop fry in a tank.

 

Hey ree13
You ask for input on breeding boxes for adult platies.

You have 7 or more females with males in a 55 and have a grow out tank.

In my opinion you will get more than enough fry surviving by doing nothing more than your normal routine water changes if the tank has live plants and or moss. You may have to protect fry from the filter intake with a sponge if it’s a hang on back ? You will I suspect have to many offspring very soon ?

I have not found it necessary to use breeding boxes for my platies .

 

thank you all for the great suggestions. I do have 2 large sponge filters in the tank . I think I'll just add more plants and let nature take it's course. One last question should I fish out the fry to the grow out tank?

 

Depends on how many fish do you have room for.

 

Depends on how many fish do you have room for.

there's a total of 12 platys, 6 white cloud minnows and 5 guppies ,
I'm hoping to make the tank mostly platys in a 55 gallon

 

That will be a really nice tank

 

if it was me I would remove the males to another tank. The females will continue to drop at least 3 more batches of fry . Remove any male juveniles as soon as you can and in 4 months time you might have manageable numbers of fish. Do nothing and you will have fish soup.

By all means remove a few fry while the numbers are low. At this stage every fry is important in getting a stable population. Very soon the tables will turn and you will be trying to stop breeding.

 

That will be a really nice tank

Thanks, lots of color and activity although peaceful I hope

 

I have found the females to be fine in small or large groups of their own sex. But the males need as large a group as possible. Two males does not work even in a 55 gallon. However 15 males in a 68 litre/ 18 gallon seems to work out fine . Admittedly they chase each other around the plants but with a group the pressure is spread around. You should have lots of males soon from the first batch of fry . Separate them in a large group and fingers crossed they will behave?

 

I have found the females to be fine in small or large groups of their own sex. But the males need as large a group as possible. Two males does not work even in a 55 gallon. However 15 males in a 68 litre/ 18 gallon seems to work out fine . Admittedly they chase each other around the plants but with a group the pressure is spread around. You should have lots of males soon from the first batch of fry . Separate them in a large group and fingers crossed they will behave?

So, I have a 20 gallon long , and a 13 gallon high that I can set up. as well as the current fry in a 20 gallon long , and the 55 gallon ( also has about 15 small fish tetras , and wht clds) . So, Should I leave the boys in the 55 and move the girls or move the boys ?

 

I call the game of moving fish around “ musical fish “ from the very old parlour game musical chairs.

I find it best to move males out , leaving females and their fry. As juveniles begin to develop into males they are netted out. This works for me and I suggest it’s the easiest way to separate sexes ?

Male platies are smaller and thinner than females of the same age . Yes they have a different analfin but it’s their behaviour of following big females around that stands out for me?

 

Thanks the boys are moving out !