Surprise mystery? Swordtail fry?

This morning I decided to sit at the side of my tank instead of the front to examine the fish and the surrounds - it needs a bit of maintenance so I was getting a different perspective to see what needed to be done.

I didn't realise that there had been a bit of algal build-up on the back glass, because I have greenery behind it against the wall. So, when I was at the side I noticed it and then I noticed two weeny fry nibbling at it. I often have fry in my tank as I have a lot of guppies, but I also have a lot of cories and they tend to take care of most of the fry so we don't get overpopulated. But these babies are most certainly not guppies.

Recently, I introduced two new female swordtails into my tank and one platy (the *only* male fish I have are guppies - I don't want hundreds of new fry every month haha). I know that guppies will mate with other livebearers but we have a very small ratio of males to females (i.e. - about five males to about 20 females).

One of my male guppies (Vincent Vega) has been trying it on with the swordtails since we got them, poor fella. None of them go near the platy (Mary) in the tank but my daughter is certain that they are platy fry and, well, they are orange and spotty and pretty much EXACT replicas of her. Are platies a bit like guppies in that they can be pregnant and have their fry in batches? I suspect that she may have been pregnant when I got her, and I never see any of the guppies anywhere near her (as well as her being three times their size).

I'll try to post a pic They're beyond cute.

Oh, and another important question - they seem to be *really* enjoying the algae. Should I leave some of it there for them? I have a live planted tank and one of the plants is going totally berserk in there, which is awesome for the fry to hang out in but I don't want the whole thing to turn green.

 

Platys can store sperm and have fry many months later. I would leave some of the algae for the fry and let the plants grow out.

 

As otterblue said, platy can store them for months! I had accidentally gotten two platy assuming they were male as labeled (one wasn't, so babies!) and I separated her only for her to have two more batches of 3 babies over the next few months. So, now I have 6 baby girl platys. The male then managed to hook up with my female swordtail and make a hybrid fry so thank goodness you have all ladies!

 

W

Well, I do unless some of the fry are male! Noooooo!!! Hahaha.

(But seriously, I thought guppy fry were cute. These guys are too adorable.)

 

This morning I decided to sit at the side of my tank instead of the front to examine the fish and the surrounds - it needs a bit of maintenance so I was getting a different perspective to see what needed to be done.

I didn't realise that there had been a bit of algal build-up on the back glass, because I have greenery behind it against the wall. So, when I was at the side I noticed it and then I noticed two weeny fry nibbling at it. I often have fry in my tank as I have a lot of guppies, but I also have a lot of cories and they tend to take care of most of the fry so we don't get overpopulated. But these babies are most certainly not guppies.

Recently, I introduced two new female swordtails into my tank and one platy (the *only* male fish I have are guppies - I don't want hundreds of new fry every month haha). I know that guppies will mate with other livebearers but we have a very small ratio of males to females (i.e. - about five males to about 20 females).

One of my male guppies (Vincent Vega) has been trying it on with the swordtails since we got them, poor fella. None of them go near the platy (Mary) in the tank but my daughter is certain that they are platy fry and, well, they are orange and spotty and pretty much EXACT replicas of her. Are platies a bit like guppies in that they can be pregnant and have their fry in batches? I suspect that she may have been pregnant when I got her, and I never see any of the guppies anywhere near her (as well as her being three times their size).

I'll try to post a pic They're beyond cute.

Oh, and another important question - they seem to be *really* enjoying the algae. Should I leave some of it there for them? I have a live planted tank and one of the plants is going totally berserk in there, which is awesome for the fry to hang out in but I don't want the whole thing to turn green.

A lot of livebearers love to graze on the algae. That's normal.
Livebearers amongst another can not crossbreed with every kind of livebearer. Their sexual organs should be compatible in order to mate in a natural way. Otherwise, no mating can take place no matter how often a male of the other species tries to mate. And how close related are both kinds of livebearer species, is of a critical issue to crossbreed. But most important is the compatibility of their sexual organs.
With Xiphophorus species (where swordtails and platies belong to), a crossbreeding is possible with fertile offspring.

 

Hi there. So, my aquarium is perfectly lovely, well-balanced and correctly stocked.

I bought two platies and a swordtail a few weeks ago - female ones - because I only had one platy and I wanted her to have some company. Also, to introduce a bit more colour and differing size into the tank.

The issue is, apparently they were both pregnant. I already have a fair few fry from my guppies but they are manageable. But at the moment I have counted SEVEN platy fry in the tank - different sizes, so there have been two different "litters" - three of them are swordtails, four of them are platies.

With the guppy fry it's no problem - some of them I know are being eaten at birth so that's ok. But platies get a lot bigger than guppies, I can't afford to buy a new tank at the moment (although that's the plan for the near future) and I don't know what to do with them.

The main issue really is that I adore them. I love fry, they are so sweet and gorgeous and brave and courageous. So, I cannot bring myself to "cull" them. But my son has a marvelous betta that would probably enjoy a snack.

Again, though, I love my fry and that's pretty horrific, isn't it? Do I just need to deal with the fry, get a bigger tank, and wait until the platies have managed to birth them all? I'm torn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

First of all: Bettas don't eat fry. At least not over a certain size. Culling with the help of that fish won't work. Likely you will just add new tankmates.

Secondly: You have livebearers, you have fry. Even just with a female. They can store sperm for months to produce offspring even without a male. Hence when buying a female livebearer of any kind and it has been at any point together in a tank with a male, the chances of it being NOT pregnant are slim. The only way to prevent offspring is keeping males only.

So your options are still: Culling, getting another tank or rehoming. Usually breeders of these fish do all three, depending on circumstances.

 

Unfortunately occasionally culling fish is just an unpleasant component of our hobby.
It's illegal in most areas to release ornamental fish into the wild, and the drastic decline of mom and pop fish stores have severely limited trade in availability. This leaves few options when dealing with unwanted or unmanageable fish.

 

First of all, feeding fry to other fish is by no stretch of the imagination murder. Fish eat other fish. That's how the world works.

You mentioned the possibility of getting another tank for the fry. That's certainly one option, but what are you going to do when it gets full? Get another one? Where does it end?

 

Timely thread. I'm having the exact same problem.

 

I have numerous hybrid Mbuna that
were randomly bred in my tanks. It's generally accepted, not to buy or trade African hybrids as to keep the pure bred populations clean.
Sooner or later they will need to be euthanized. Definitely not looking forward to that, but it is the ethical thing to do.

 

You mentioned the possibility of getting another tank for the fry. That's certainly one option, but what are you going to do when it gets full? Get another one? Where does it end?

What do you mean where does it end??
Always looking for a way to set more tanks up , just ran out of space in house.
Possibly having a serious talk to your fish would help?
You may be the only one who hears anything but maybe that will be enough ..

Controlling fish breeding means having many tanks for separation ..
Most breeders cull so the quality of fish they have is only top notch .
Those fry would not be in your tank if not for you .I know the fish do it all but you make it possible .
It is on you to keep your stock levels proper for health and longevity .
Pick one or two of the best only to keep .

 

You could set up one grow out tank (using a large plastic tub) & after they've grown you could donate them to a LFS or LPS. My Petco will even take fish donations.

 

I recently fed a large batch of Cichlasoma fry to my festivums. I knew it would be hard to even give them away if I raised another batch. I preferred to use them as food when they were still very small. I did not really like doing it (the festivums did!) but felt that I had to. With a few platy fry I would imagine a shop might take them?

 

I recently fed a large batch of Cichlasoma fry to my festivums. I knew it would be hard to even give them away if I raised another batch. I preferred to use them as food when they were still very small. I did not really like doing it (the festivums did!) but felt that I had to. With a few platy fry I would imagine a shop might take them?

And that's the thing. I really, really struggle with the idea of giving away any of my fry or taking them to the pet store. This is because I am very aware of how many people keep fish without having a clue (or an interest in) how to care for them properly. I couldn't bear to give fish I was responsible for away, with the potential that they would be mistreated. So, that's off the table unfortunately, unless I know the people who adopt them. Sigh.

You could set up one grow out tank (using a large plastic tub) & after they've grown you could donate them to a LFS or LPS. My Petco will even take fish donations.

I've thought of that but you'll see my answer above as to giving fish away. Also, bloomin' heck, they have so many so often, I gave up getting the fry out to separate long ago haha. Although, it's something I am now thinking about again.

What do you mean where does it end??
Always looking for a way to set more tanks up , just ran out of space in house.
Possibly having a serious talk to your fish would help?
You may be the only one who hears anything but maybe that will be enough ..

Controlling fish breeding means having many tanks for separation ..
Most breeders cull so the quality of fish they have is only top notch .
Those fry would not be in your tank if not for you .I know the fish do it all but you make it possible .
It is on you to keep your stock levels proper for health and longevity .
Pick one or two of the best only to keep .

You are so so right. And I am fully aware of my responsibilities, which is why I'm so torn. I was pretty much of an idiot not to realise that the platies would probably be pregnant and I'm cross with myself because I just didn't think far enough ahead. I bought only females because I was trying to be responsible! What a rookie error. I mean, I've not been a hobbyist for years and years but I'm certainly no rookie.

If it were just the guppy fry I'd not be concerned - I knew that would be an issue if I had guppies but I was prepared for it. They are much smaller than platies when they're grown up and most of my fry are male thank goodness, so I may end up with only males if I can separate out the females and cull any new fry that I get if I put them in a separate tank.

Regarding having many tanks - I hear you. I'd have 20 in my house if I could hahaha.

First of all, feeding fry to other fish is by no stretch of the imagination murder. Fish eat other fish. That's how the world works.

You mentioned the possibility of getting another tank for the fry. That's certainly one option, but what are you going to do when it gets full? Get another one? Where does it end?

By another tank, I meant a larger tank for *all* of them. Then, when I transferred the fish, I'd separate the males and females. Any new fry that come along in the female tank would have to be culled unfortunately to end the cycle.

First of all: Bettas don't eat fry. At least not over a certain size. Culling with the help of that fish won't work. Likely you will just add new tankmates.

Secondly: You have livebearers, you have fry. Even just with a female. They can store sperm for months to produce offspring even without a male. Hence when buying a female livebearer of any kind and it has been at any point together in a tank with a male, the chances of it being NOT pregnant are slim. The only way to prevent offspring is keeping males only.

So your options are still: Culling, getting another tank or rehoming. Usually breeders of these fish do all three, depending on circumstances.

Yes and that's where I made just a numbskull decision. I KNOW that female livebearers are pretty much likely to be pregnant. I don't know why that didn't occur to me - at all - when I got the platies. DUH. But like I said above, that makes me responsible and I want to do the right thing.

You mention new tank mates for the betta. That was something else I was thinking of. Our betta, Jimmy Kimmel, is the coolest betta I've ever had, and I've had many over the years. He is the friendliest little dude ever. I actually just moved his tank because it was in my son's room and I swear he (Jimmy) was getting lonely. He goes nuts when anyone goes up to the tank - flapping away those little fins in so much excitement. And he's not flaring, he's just like "OH HAI WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???" It's gorgeous. He's the first betta I've ever had who I think might actually like having some tank mates.

But there is a big difference between him being friendly and engaging and him having other fish actually in his territory. I don't want to stress *any* of my fish out. So, adding fry to his tank might work, and it might be a terrible idea. Not sure that I want to take the risk - what do you think?

I have numerous hybrid Mbuna that
were randomly bred in my tanks. It's generally accepted, not to buy or trade African hybrids as to keep the pure bred populations clean.
Sooner or later they will need to be euthanized. Definitely not looking forward to that, but it is the ethical thing to do.

How do you euthanise your fish? Clove oil?

I have another question. I have found three dead guppies and have had to euthanise four more just in the last ten days - all quite young, only a few months old and all with swim bladder issues. I've been injured recently and I've not been able to care for the tank the way I usually do so I know it's because of poor water quality and I feel like rubbish about it. I've just given it a good clean and water change and I'll keep on top of it over the next week.

I'd estimate at the moment that I have approximately five platies and six to 10 guppy fry in there - some teeny, teeny tiny and some a few weeks old. How much waste do fry produce? Usually, because the tank is somewhat overstocked due to the fry, I'm really on top of things and there are no dramas.

The issue is quite a few times, when one of the females has had a couple of bunches of fry, she dies. What am I doing wrong?

(I do plan to get a bigger tank soon - early next year, when I've quit my job and I have more time and also when the Christmas expenditure is over - I also have human kids, a dog and three cats!)

 

Maybe you can put them on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for free or a small reforming fee. Even if only half of them go to good homes, it’s better than 100% of them being put down

 

Hi there. So, my aquarium is perfectly lovely, well-balanced and correctly stocked.

I bought two platies and a swordtail a few weeks ago - female ones - because I only had one platy and I wanted her to have some company. Also, to introduce a bit more colour and differing size into the tank.

The issue is, apparently they were both pregnant. I already have a fair few fry from my guppies but they are manageable. But at the moment I have counted SEVEN platy fry in the tank - different sizes, so there have been two different "litters" - three of them are swordtails, four of them are platies.

With the guppy fry it's no problem - some of them I know are being eaten at birth so that's ok. But platies get a lot bigger than guppies, I can't afford to buy a new tank at the moment (although that's the plan for the near future) and I don't know what to do with them.

The main issue really is that I adore them. I love fry, they are so sweet and gorgeous and brave and courageous. So, I cannot bring myself to "cull" them. But my son has a marvelous betta that would probably enjoy a snack.

Again, though, I love my fry and that's pretty horrific, isn't it? Do I just need to deal with the fry, get a bigger tank, and wait until the platies have managed to birth them all? I'm torn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Grow them and then once they’re a big enough size then bring them to a pet store, they’ll take them

 

Grow them and then once they’re a big enough size then bring them to a pet store, they’ll take them

Less than 50% of all fishstores take in fish from private persons nowerdays.

 

Timely thread. I'm having the exact same problem.

Most people with livebearers face this. I'm almost done with them, but used to take my females at the end to my community tank to deliver. It was rare to find survivors.
Right now I have 3 fry that survived, which are at breeding age. The female is in the community tank, 2 males in another tank. They are Japan Blues that I want more of, in my time.
Many guppies went to pet stores for free in the past!