A few questions...

[cheese_mcphee]

I started up my tank (around 20 gallons in size) a couple of months ago, and so far, so good (had a few casualties, mainly down to inexperience though). There's a few things I wouldn't mind help with if someone is kind (or bored ) enough to assist me

1. I have the list of my fish below. I wouldn't mind adding a few more, but i'm not sure if that will overstock the tank. Any ideas?

2. I was looking at adding Swordtails, but have heard there can be problems of hybridization if you mix them with Platies. Is this true, and what other recomendations of fish would you suggest?

3. Eventually I would also like a Siamese fighter, but realise that they aren't compatible with Guppies. Are there any other problems with keeping them?

4. I have 2 female Platies and 1 male. The females have seemed to be pregnant ever since owning them (over a month), yet they don't seem to be giving birth to any fry. How can you tell when this will happen, and as a breeding net ideal for seperating them? (don't have a seperate tank).

5. Finally, how can you determine the sex of the fish that I have? (see below for a list).

Sorry if this seems a bit overbearing, but I thought i'd keep it all to one thread rather than clutter the forums with loads! If any advice can be given on any of these questions, it would be a great help!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MAM]

you could probably add 1 or two more fish, but if youre real good with your maintanence and your filter system is powerful enough, you might be able to go a few more than that. the general rule of 1 inch of fish per 1 gal of water is more of a general guideline that is good for newbies. if you have a powerful filter and clean your tank regularly, you can go over that number. maybe three swords or some more female platies, or a couple more rasboras (6 or make will make a nicer school).
i've never owned swords and haven't heard of probs with platies, but there are others here iwth more sword experience.
as far as the betta (fighter fish) goes, get him is own tank, other fish may actually stress him out a bit and he'll quite likely not mix well with your guppy (though some have had luck with that combo). he'll fit nicely in a one or two gallon tank all by himself.
pregnant platies, they can carry for about 30 days usually. when the bottom starts to look squared off, as opposed to rounded and curved, then she's about ready to drop and you should be able to put her in the breeding net, just don't leave her in there more than say 24 hours, she'll get very stressed out and could just end up aborting the fry.
with the guppies and platies, the females have a rounded anal fin (on the stomach) and males have a gonopodium which looks like a long narrow tube almost. hope i was some help. but don't take my word as gold, its just my personal opinion, see what others have to say too.

 

[cheese_mcphee]

Thanks for your help. The Platies are starting to look more square-shaped, one of them seems smaller but I can't see any fry so its probably just in my mind. As for the Betta, I take it i'd need a filter and heater for a new bowl too? Is there any chance that one would be ok in a couple of years when the Guppy dies?

Sorry about all the questions!