Is Our Platy Ready To Give Birth?

Hi,

We have a pregnant platy, that we have no idea when she is going to give birth or what the red line is that has appeared tonight? We have put her in the breeding trap, but she seems a little stressed? She seems to have the white spot just above the bottom, but we dont want to stress her out for no reason?

Please help?

Hi there.

To be honest, I wouldn't use a breeding trap. It stresses the fish out and can make them give birth prematurely.

I'd put her back in the main tank, and if you want to raise some of the babies, have some thick clumps of plants (fine leafed ones such as cabomba are great for this) for the fry to hide in, or catch babies when you see them and move them into a growing on tank.

Platys normally give birth every 30 days, so if you see any babies in the tank, you'll be able to work out when the next batch are due.

I'm not sure what 'red line' you mean, but if she seems happy and healthy (she looks very well!) I wouldn't worry too much.

Hope this helps

I think she is definitely close to giving birth. Put her in the tank, she will likely give birth at night and some of the fry will survive for you to raise if you wish. Expect another batch of fry 28-30 days after this batch. welcome to livebearer keeping!

Thank-you so much, thats definately helped! I put her back in the main tank, and there are lots of plants etc in there too. I Dont know if we have the room to keep them all anyway? Just hate the thought of them being eaten, but then - its nature isnt it! Love these forums, and thank-you for saying she looks well, you just never know do you! we havent had the tank long, but i do care about them?! x

It isn't nice to think of them being eaten, but you are right, it is the way of nature. That is, of course, why they have so many in the first place...
When you think that each female can have 50 or more babies every month, it's hardly anyone who has space to grow them all on!
As long as you have nice thick planting enough will survive

Welcome to the forum BubbleChuckles.
I'm afraid that your platy in the picture is far from dropping fry. We do have a few threads in the pinned area that try to help you judge the present stage of your common livebearer. My own contribution is the molly thread that I call My Molly's Progress in my signature area but equally valid posts focus on other livebearers. Almost all livebearers can be readily judged using any of these techniques but I find it especially hard to judge a livebearer by its gravid spot so I presented another method that works for me, along with lots of pictures.

I am very glad you said that - because she hasnt dropped yet and her black spot is even bigger - but nothing happening as yet! I will post a new picture and you can tell me what you think, i was getting very worried!