Platy growth rate

I have both molly and play fry born about the same time (7-8 months ago). The molly fry are almost full grown, but the platy fry still seem so small. They have stayed at about 1/2-3/4" for the last couple of months. Is this typical growth rate or are they stunted somehow? The momma is a mickey mouse platy.

There is some question about the father of the platy. I bought two female platys (positive they were both females) and about two months after putting them in the tank with the molly we started having fry. So either the platy came from the pet store pregnant/with stored sperm or she somehow mated with a molly and we have "polly" fry. I know there is much debate about whether mollies and platys can interbreed.

 

I really don't know the answer but what I can tell you is this happened to me too but I know mine were "stunned" because they were left in the breeding net for a very long time. Now they are all ( about 40) in a 40 gallon tank but I just put them in there so I am not sure.

 

These guys are in an 80 gallon tank, have been since birth. We've never separated any of our fry and we have had several batches of platy and mollies and most have survived.

 

huh? I have no idea why yours may be stunned. I have heard that feeding live foods increases growth rate. I have not tried it yet but I heard that it works.

 

Hello everyone!

My first (accidental) batch of platy fry are just over 5 weeks old. There are 9 of them so unfortunately I won’t have room to keep them all. I did find a pet store who would take them but they said they need to be 3/4”. I personally find it difficult to measure them so does anyone know roughly how old they would be when they reach that length? I sort of figured it would be around the 2/2.5 month mark. I was really hoping it would be before the 3 month mark when they sexually mature. Although it will be sad to see them go

 

I think it will be 3-5 months before they reach the size he indicated, honestly. Maybe by then you will find friend or family who will take extras and keep them. I hope so.