Just Want To Make Sure That This Is Live Bearer Behavior

So I recently moved my pregnant platy into a ten gallon, along with 2 fry. It has been exactly 28 days since she last gave birth and she looks very big. I wasn't home when she gave birth last, so I couldn't tell what her behavior was. Now she is hiding behind a plant in a corner. Is this normal? Or is it shock because I added her to the tank last night? She was fine when I put her in there. Tell me if I need pics

Tagging Discusluv FishFish221 and TexasDomer

 

Tagging Discusluv FishFish221 and TexasDomer

It may be just that she is still getting used to her new environment.
Are you sure the water quality is fine? Temperature?

 

It may be just that she is still getting used to her new environment.
Are you sure the water quality is fine? Temperature?

I know that the tank is cycled because I used a seeded sponge filter. I don't have a heater on the other tank, and this tank is right next to it, so I assumed that the temp was the same. Whenever I walk over, she gets up and moves around. After about a minute after I leave, she goes back down. I see no clamped fins or pineconing, only heavy breathing but I feel like that has to do with her being pregnant. Here's a pic:


She moved when I got closer but you can see how pregnant she is. I can get a better pic if you need it.

 

I know that the tank is cycled because I used a seeded sponge filter. I don't have a heater on the other tank, and this tank is right next to it, so I assumed that the temp was the same. Whenever I walk over, she gets up and moves around. After about a minute after I leave, she goes back down. I see no clamped fins or pineconing, only heavy breathing but I feel like that has to do with her being pregnant. Here's a pic:
View attachment 364800
She moved when I got closer but you can see how pregnant she is. I can get a better pic if you need it.

Did she eat this morning?
Do you have a water test kit to test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? I would do so just to rule this out.

 

Did she eat this morning?

Yes.

 

I would suggest water test and some further observation.
If she begins to rub on objects, gets raised scales, or has white feces, then would need to be concerned. otherwise, give her a couple more days to settle into her new environment.

 

I would suggest water test and some further observation.
If she begins to rub on objects, gets raised scales, or has white feces, then would need to be concerned. otherwise, give her a couple more days to settle into her new environment.

I don't own a test kit. Could I assume that everything is pretty much normal because I just started the tank yesterday? I'll give her a couple more days.
Do you think she'll give birth today or tonight? Would this be normal behavior for a pregnant platy?

 

She might be preparing to have fry - females will often do this shortly before giving birth.

 

She might be preparing to have fry - females will often do this shortly before giving birth.

Should I just leave her alone then? She keeps swimming up when I walk over.
EDIT: She's more active now than before, but she frequently stops to rest at the bottom. She is also breathing quickly.

 

Since you can't test the water, I would do a large water change and then leave her alone.

 

She might be preparing to have fry - females will often do this shortly before giving birth.

Very often this is the case for live-bearers. Best to not move females quite so close to birthing time. It can cause premature fry drops. But she will probably be OK. Nothing you can really do but wait.

Very often this is the case for live-bearers. Best to not move females quite so close to birthing time. It can cause premature fry drops. But she will probably be OK. Not much you can do but give her some peace.

 

For sure get a test kit, the API master kit and the kH/gH kits are pretty essential, epsecially if you plan on getting shrimp.
Amazon usually has great pricing on both.

 

Since you can't test the water, I would do a large water change and then leave her alone.

But I just set up the tank last night. I left the filter running for about twenty minutes, then added her in. Should I still do a water change?

Very often this is the case for live-bearers. Best to not move females quite so close to birthing time. It can cause premature fry drops. But she will probably be OK. Nothing you can really do but wait.

Ok I'll wait for now.

I'll also keep updating if something happens.

 

If you just started the tank yesterday, it cannot be cycled. Since you have no test kit, you don't have any idea what the ammonia\nitrite\nitrate levels are. That behavior (fast breathing) is also a sign of poor water quality. Can you buy a test kit and test it?

 

If you just started the tank yesterday, it cannot be cycled. Since you have no test kit, you don't have any idea what the ammonia\nitrite\nitrate levels are. That behavior (fast breathing) is also a sign of poor water quality. Can you buy a test kit and test it?

For sure get a test kit, the API master kit and the kH/gH kits are pretty essential, epsecially if you plan on getting shrimp.
Amazon usually has great pricing on both.

Sure I can get one. But wouldn't a seeded filter already start the cycle of the tank?

 

Sure, but starting a cycle means elevated levels of ammonia and then elevated levels of nitrite which are both toxic.

If you find high levels of either with your test, you may want to consider dosing with PRIME which will detoxify ammonia\nitrite\nitrate and make her more comfortable

 

For sure get a test kit, the API master kit and the kH/gH kits are pretty essential, epsecially if you plan on getting shrimp.
Amazon usually has great pricing on both.

Do you think the test kit with only ammonia, nitrite and nitrate will work?

If you find high levels of either with your test, you may want to consider dosing with PRIME which will detoxify ammonia\nitrite\nitrate and make her more comfortable

Since I don't have the kit now, should I leave her alone or do a WC?

 

Its a great start. I would also look into a PH test kit as well

When do you think you would be able to test your water?

 

So it's unlikely that parameters would jump that quickly, usually takes at least 24hrs, more often then not 36 hrs for enough ammonia to be in the system.
Livebearers do act that way when preparing for birth, as well as when added to new tanks.
However, being able to test your water is invaluable... ph swings can occur from low kH, harness could cause problems with shrimp molting and plant growth, high nitrates can cause issues for all, so on and so forth...

Usually sponges need to be seeded in a tank for a minimum of three weeks, however with such a low bioload (1 adult and one fry) you might be able to get away with a "less then optimal" seeded filter.

 

When do you think you would be able to test your water?

I don't know. I don't have a test kit yet, but I can maybe by tomorrow? It depends on whether my parents can get to a store. I think I am able to go to my LFS today. They do free water testing too so I might do that if I can.

 

No, ph tests are even more important.... the master kit has ph (high and low), nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. Nitrites and ammonia are good for tank issues, adding live stock, cycling... ph and nitrates would be used continually.
KH/gH is another biggie, especially for plants and shrimp... however, a low kH can cause ph swings, making it difficult for fish, also causing issues with water changes

 

So it's unlikely that parameters would jump that quickly, usually takes at least 24hrs, more often then not 36 hrs for enough ammonia to be in the system.
Livebearers do act that way when preparing for birth, as well as when added to new tanks.
However, being able to test your water is invaluable... ph swings can occur from low kH, harness could cause problems with shrimp molting and plant growth, high nitrates can cause issues for all, so on and so forth...

Usually sponges need to be seeded in a tank for a minimum of three weeks, however with such a low bioload (1 adult and one fry) you might be able to get away with a "less then optimal" seeded filter.

Ok. I seeded it for more than two weeks, so hopefully that will be ok. I'm really going to try to get a test kit. It's hard because I have to save up the money but I think that it will be worth it once I learn how to use it.

No, ph tests are even more important.... the master kit has ph (high and low), nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. Nitrites and ammonia are good for tank issues, adding live stock, cycling... ph and nitrates would be used continually.
KH/gH is another biggie, especially for plants and shrimp... however, a low kH can cause ph swings, making it difficult for fish, also causing issues with water changes

Could you please provide a link to the test kit I should get? I'm not sure which one you are referring to.

 

Ha! I remember when I got my first kit... omg it seemed like I would never be able to just "test" without the manual... now I can do it in my sleep lol

API master kit (single, $20)


API kg/gH

 

That sounds like a good idea. Get your water tested. If you have high ammonia\nitrite\nitrate do a 25% - 50% water change and buy some PRIME to help detoxify the water. If levels are ok, she's probably just breathing fast because she's ready to burst. Do you have pretty good oxygenation? Water movement at the surface\air stone. Added oxygenation may be helpful as well. Just a thought. Keep us posted!

 

Ha! I remember when I got my first kit... omg it seemed like I would never be able to just "test" without the manual... now I can do it in my sleep lol

Lol!

API master kit (single, $20)


API kg/gH

Thanks!

That sounds like a good idea. Get your water tested. If you have high ammonia\nitrite\nitrate do a 25% - 50% water change and buy some PRIME to help detoxify the water. If levels are ok, she's probably just breathing fast because she's ready to burst. Do you have pretty good oxygenation? Water movement at the surface\air stone. Added oxygenation may be helpful as well. Just a thought. Keep us posted!

The sponge filter I have provides pretty good oxygenation. I'll keep you posted.

Jocelyn Adelman and PeteStevers here's a pic. I'm not sure if this is normal or not.



She just moved behind the filter but is still in that position. Am I doing something wrong?

 

No, stop panicking Leave her be for a while.

 

No, stop panicking Leave her be for a while.

Ok yeah sorry. I've just been nervous because this is my first time moving a fish to another tank and I want her fry to live.

She's swimming around a little more. If I am correct, I see another fry

TexasDomer How long does the total birthing last? I just saw her give out another fry right in front of me! But now she's at the bottom again.

 

It can take a while. Don't worry about it, there's nothing you can do. Just let her give birth in peace

 

It can take a while. Don't worry about it, there's nothing you can do. Just let her give birth in peace

Ok. I'm so excited! But I feel bad for female livebearers. Giving birth to that many fish every month lol.

TexasDomer and Jocelyn Adelman She should be done by now, right? She's now at the bottom of the tank again. Should I move her into the community tank?

 

TexasDomer She should be done by now, right? She's now at the bottom of the tank again. Should I move her into the community tank?

She may or may not be done. She could even drop a couple more tomorrow. Giving her at least a short rest before putting her back with the males is often a good idea. If you have males.

 

She may or may not be done. She could even drop a couple more tomorrow. Giving her at least a short rest before putting her back with the males is often a good idea. If you have males.

Yup, the other tank has one male and two females. Here's a pic. Is she just resting? Can you tell if she still has more fry to deliver?

 

No I can't tell for sure. I can only tell you my experience from 100s of batches of fry. They usually drop most of their fry in 8 hours, often less. Starts in the AM far more often than not, for reasons I don't know. I have had them drop fry for about two days but it's fairly rare to take that long. When she looks skinny call it good. Moving her back to community at night isn't a bad plan.

 

No I can't tell for sure. I can only tell you my experience from 100s of batches of fry. They usually drop most of their fry in 8 hours, often less. Starts in the AM far more often than not, for reasons I don't know. I have had them drop fry for about two days but it's fairly rare to take that long. When she looks skinny call it good. Moving her back to community at night isn't a bad plan.

I was gone for the last three hours, and when I came back, she was still hiding. Even bloodworms didn't work, but I think I saw that she is still boxy. She also has small, quick breaths. So I think I'm going to leave her there overnight and see what happens tomorrow morning.

 

Sounds like a plan. It's possible you stressed her and she just dumped some of them. If she stays heavy don't be completely surprised if she drops fry again in a few weeks. My fish can't read internet forums so they sometimes break the rules.

 

Sounds like a plan. It's possible you stressed her and she just dumped some of them. If she stays heavy don't be completely surprised if she drops fry again in a few weeks. My fish can't read internet forums so they sometimes break the rules.

Lol. So she was coming out a little more, so I put her back, and now she looks happier. I'm just not sure if I should do this every month, or if it's too stressful.

 

Lol. So she was coming out a little more, so I put her back, and now she looks happier. I'm just not sure if I should do this every month, or if it's too stressful.

There are a lot of ways you can do it. I have some high end guppies that cost a lot of money. I can sell fish but they breed like rabbits soooooo..

-I occasionally put my finest females in a small maternity tank, about a week before I think they will drop. I save almost every fry this way.

-I have tub ponds where I let nature take its course. Lots of floating plants and the adults get used to living with fry. Plenty survive.

-Or let them drop fry in community and dip fry out into a small tanks. I feed them live brine shrimp and they grow fast. A couple weeks later I dump them back with adults and survival rate is extremely. Depends entirely on your stocking. Some fish will mow down fry with great efficiency.

Have to ask yourself how many fry you can raise and what are you going to do with them. I can sell mine so there is some purpose to my efforts.

 

Yep, that's the reality of keeping fish that breed so regularly. Gotta decide how you deal with all those fry... they all grow up at some point and just keep on coming

 

There are a lot of ways you can do it. I have some high end guppies that cost a lot of money. I can sell fish but they breed like rabbits soooooo..

-I occasionally put my finest females in a small maternity tank, about a week before I think they will drop. I save almost every fry this way.

-I have tub ponds where I let nature take its course. Lots of floating plants and the adults get used to living with fry. Plenty survive.

-Or let them drop fry in community and dip fry out into a small tanks. I feed them live brine shrimp and they grow fast. A couple weeks later I dump them back with adults and survival rate is extremely. Depends entirely on your stocking. Some fish will mow down fry with great efficiency.

Have to ask yourself how many fry you can raise and what are you going to do with them. I can sell mine so there is some purpose to my efforts.

Yup, selling them would be great, if I can get a profit and pay for some more fish stuff though lol.

Yep, that's the reality of keeping fish that breed so regularly. Gotta decide how you deal with all those fry... they all grow up at some point and just keep on coming

It's really interesting, seeing a fish give birth. This is only my second batch of fry, but the first didn't really count because only 2 fry lived, somehow in a tank of 4 platies and a DG. I feel like I want a lot of fry now, but I'm going to have too many very soon

 

Yup, selling them would be great, if I can get a profit and pay for some more fish stuff though lol.

That only works if you raise something special. LFS can buy cheap fish they sell for $2.99 for 50 cents without dealing with us. They want a deal from hobbyists. You can't raise fish to adult size and sell them for a quarter or your profit is imaginary.

 

That only works if you raise something special. LFS can buy cheap fish they sell for $2.99 for 50 cents without dealing with us. They want a deal from hobbyists. You can't raise fish to adult size and sell them for a quarter or your profit is imaginary.

My LFS sells platies for three dollars, and they said that they would take them, so I hope it works out.

 

My LFS sells platies for three dollars, and they said that they would take them, so I hope it works out.

What does "take them" mean? A few months from now you will fully understand the expense and effort of raising healthy fish to adult sizes.

 

What does "take them" mean? A few months from now you will fully understand the expense and effort of raising healthy fish to adult sizes.

They said that they would give me some price, or store credit, if they had low stocking on the fish, or could simply take them in without me getting anything.

 

They said that they would give me some price, or store credit, if they had low stocking on the fish, or could simply take them in without me getting anything.

That's cool. If month old fish had any retail value this would be easy.