New Dwarf Platies

Hi,

I just thought I'd share. I've been doing some research as to what would be a nice little fish to have in my 8g planted nano. It's a low-tech planted tank, so my lack of CO2 gives me a pH of 7.2. I thought it would be nice for a group of small livebearers. I narrowed it down to a trio of platies, though I wasn't set on the type. Swordtails get way too big, and guppies are a bit too excitable, mollies need salt, the rest are not readily available in South FL. Platies are just nice fish. Well, I saw these little "Dwarf" platies at Petsmart (I live near a pretty good one), and these three were still there after 3 weeks. So I took them home. I have a male and two females. They are settling down and exploring the tank. I like them. I haven't had platies in over 15 years! I have plenty of room for fry in other tanks.

Here are two pretty lousy shots. I seriously doubted the whole "Dwarf" thing, but I didn't pay as much for them. Proportionately, they do look like adult fish, however. If they stay this small, I don't see any reason not to add a small shoal of pygmy corydoras to round out the tank. If they grow to true platy size, then probably just an extra female will be all.





And in case you were wondering about their new home.


Thanks for letting me share, I hope you enjoy.

llj

What a beautiful tank that is! IIRC, Dwarf platies do stay pretty small, like 1".

What a well-planted tank, it is just too nice for me.

I did enjoy looking at that pic. thank u ...

Lovely tank.

Amazing Tank, Good Luck With Ur Platies

I am so glad you put that pic. on here. I need to ask you something.

With plants around the intake like that does it still filter the tank as well? I want to plant mine, but I was afraid to put anything anywhere around the intake.

ICEEGRL said:

I am so glad you put that pic. on here. I need to ask you something.

With plants around the intake like that does it still filter the tank as well? I want to plant mine, but I was afraid to put anything anywhere around the intake.

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As long as the plants are healthy, ICEEGRL, their presence near the intake has no effect on the filtration process. Plants are natural filters, and will readily consume Nitrates and ammonia in the tank.

I'd like to thank everybody for their complements so far. They are appreciated. The platies are basically doing well. A female that seemed a bit under the weather the evening I got her is responding well to plenty of food, water changes, and a weak dose of formalin to ward off parasites. If I see these platies again, I'll add another female to the group.

llj

Thats great! I think you could still add a group of 5 pygmy cories!

Thats great! I think you could still add a group of 5 pygmy cories!

"dwarf" platies might not stay dwarves. Their "dwarf" gene is a little faulty so the platy might stop growing, then get a growth spurt.

and by "faulty" means that there is a codominance if you know what I mean. (genetics)

meepster said:

"dwarf" platies might not stay dwarves. Their "dwarf" gene is a little faulty so the platy might stop growing, then get a growth spurt.

and by "faulty" means that there is a codominance if you know what I mean. (genetics)

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Exactly! I know just what you mean. That is why I didn't want to add another fish except for another female to the group. If they're dwarf, then great, I may consider pygmy corydoras or even galaxy rasboras in the future. If not, then the tank is still not especially overstocked, except for fry, which I already have covered. Either way, I am fine. They are extroverted enough that 4 platies are plenty for such a small tank. If they prove to not be dwarves, they may be moved to a larger tank. The purpose of a nano is to create the illusion of a larger size. Normal sized platies will throw off the illusion, making the tank appear smaller. Though I already "kill" the illusion with the big fat cryptocoryne leaves.

llj

That is an excellent looking tank. I have been trying to plant my tanks for a while now but always seem to fail miserably. I am looking to plant a 25gal and also a tank pretty similar to urs there which I have only recently set up on my computer desk for those long, dull assignments. If it's possible could you give me some tips on the type of substrate (sand in both right now) and anything else I might do to keep them looking as well as yours.

Also maybe the names of your plants if I'm not being too much of a pain, thx in advance.

kniesh said:

That is an excellent looking tank. I have been trying to plant my tanks for a while now but always seem to fail miserably. I am looking to plant a 25gal and also a tank pretty similar to urs there which I have only recently set up on my computer desk for those long, dull assignments. If it's possible could you give me some tips on the type of substrate (sand in both right now) and anything else I might do to keep them looking as well as yours.

Also maybe the names of your plants if I'm not being too much of a pain, thx in advance.

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Thank you for your complement. I plan to setup another 2.5g nano in the future. I answered your questions via PM.

llj

Well what can I say except I'm Jealous

How may litres is the tank? Also what about endlers? They stay a small size 1", If your lfs hasn't got any, check on ebay, there are also someone selling fry there...