Birth Control

[corey-uk]

I have 2 female platys that are constantly pregnant! They take it in turns to give birth.

I set up a rearing tank for the first batch (Approximately 20-30 left after a breeder box accident), these are all doing fine. However I can't just tell my platys to stop breeding and now my main tank is filling up with fry.

Unfortunately it seems i have ideal cover weed for the fry so a reasonable number of fry from each birth survive. I don't wish to change my tank set up, it looks great!

Is there any way I could control numbers a bit better? I don't mind a couple here and there surviving.

Note: Additional problem still to be resolved is 2 bristlenose catfish that also wish to spawn every 4-6 weeks. If you know a solution to both please let me know.

 

[boeingtech]

I don't think there is anyway of implimenting birth controlon fish other than removing the male or female in the tank and just having one sex. platties are like baby machines and as long has you have a male then you will have babies. I keep male and female together, but i let nature take its corse and the strongest will survive. But if you have alot of plant cover then you will get fry that will survive. Most of my fry get eaten by a rather large angel fish and the rest of my platties.

 

[petalpoppy]

hi why dont you set up a deal with your lfs thats what i do with my babies

get them to give you something in return my lfs gives me plants in return

petalpoppy

 

[5teady_2012]

get rid of the males...


The bristlenose you could maybe remove his cave if thats what they spawn in

 

[dazsmith69]

put a betta in he'll get rid of them for u

 

[5teady_2012]

put a betta in he'll get rid of them for u

Thats just a silly ass reply aint it?

 

[corey-uk]

I have spoke to my local fish shops, 1 said they take no fish from any customers, the other said they offer little something like pot of food if I grow the platys on to about 1 inch.

I will investigate the Angelfish option. I have heard from other sources they like eating fry. However there may be a territory dispute between the Angel and my Golden Ram, So need to mix the tank around at same time as introducing the Angel.

Yes my catfish have spawned in a cave this time, however previously they have dug a crevace in the gravel in a corner behind weeds so they will probably revert back to that option.

Cheers for the help

 

[scripted2change]

I would agree that its best to let nature take its course.. My guppies have babies all the time and i used to save them all but it became too much. WHen i clean the tank and find a baby i will scoop it up and put it in the trap.. Usally find 4/5 babies a week so its better then having 30-50..