Can Platys Change Genders? O.0

[otakufishy]

I have had my platys for a while now, and know (or knew) that they are (or were) girls, up until recently. When I bought them, and for a while afterwards, they were definitely girls (no question). A few weeks (maybe a few months) or so ago, though, I was looking at two of my females and they had gonopodiums!!! What???

Before, they looked like this (not my pic, just an example...)
http/www.fishforever.co.uk/images/female.jpg

Now, they look like this!!! (again, just an example...)
http/www.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Livebearers/RedWagPlatyMale.jpg

Could it be possible that they changed genders? Or did (both of) their fins get nipped? I have a third female platy that has stayed the same, though, so it's not my entire female population, just that majority... I'm confuzelled..... I didn't think they could, until I saw there fins and noticed that they had stopped reproducing (getting larger, having babies, etc.). Any help would be AWESOME!!! haha Thanks.

 

[mtv8dmarine]

No they cannot change gender.

 

[otakufishy]

How would you explain this, then? I'm almost positive, like you, that they can't, but what is this? Is it just nipping?

 

[AstonN24vantage]

probably because they are absolutely still female. the gonopodiums would be longer i would think

 

[mtv8dmarine]

Platies can take a little while to gender develop. I'm not sure how long you've had them or how old they were when you got them. Also, females can tuck up their fin and give the appearance at least that they may be male but will relax the fin so it's fanned out like normal when they are floating around and relaxed.

I can't say for certain. It could be fin nipping or just as simple as above. If it's fin nipping though they usually nip tail fins as it's a much larger area to be aggressive at.

 

[kizno1]

It was probably just a late developer. Some will look female for agers but are males that just arnt fully developed.

 

[otakufishy]

I really, really, REALLY, hope that's not the case, that they're "late bloomers". If that is, then that would mean my male/female ratio is all screwed up now... aww... and I can't get any more fish or I'll have too many... What to do???

 

[mtv8dmarine]

The ratio is a guideline. I stick to it and others do too because it helps keep male:male aggression down a bit so they aren't competing for the same females. It doesn't always mean there will be problems though.

 

[otakufishy]

Well, if it's it true that they're boys, then it means that I have three male platys, and one very, very tiny "feeder variety" female platy... Also in the tank are a male and a female molly. Is that too bad?

 

[mtv8dmarine]

A 3 to 1 male to female ratio may cause competition among the males. I'd almost be willing to bet that at some point. But give your fish some time and see what happens. The females could just be females after all.

 

[otakufishy]

Good point. I'll give it some time, and check again to make sure they are male or female, or whatever, then see what to do later...

edit: oh, wait, haha. I completely forgot about one of my fish!! I have another female platy that is definitely female. Sorry about that, haha. Brain fart

 

[fish48]

When livebearers are born they all have the gender of being female many of them will sex out or grow gonopodiums by the age of 3 months and some can take up to 12 months or more they are what are known as late developing males they usually turn out to be better and stronger fish .

 

[otakufishy]

So they all can look like females for a while before they "mature". I see now. Thanks a ton, guys! It was a collaborated effort!

 

[nessar]

Watch your females for signs of stress, the 1:3 male to female ration is there also to protect them from being hassled too much. They can get timid, hide a lot, and even get ill from being hassled to much by the males.

 

[mtv8dmarine]

Watch your females for signs of stress, the 1:3 male to female ration is there also to protect them from being hassled too much. They can get timid, hide a lot, and even get ill from being hassled to much by the males.

Agreed. Forgot about the other side of the reasoning.