My Platy Had Babies

[tweetie]

Last night my blue wag platy had babies. I've only had these fish for about 3 days and have no clue what to do. I did not expect to get a pregnant fish and did not know she was pregnant. What can I do with the babies if they live? What do they eat? How long does it take them to get close to full size? Will the other platys try to eat them and if so how how long will that go on?

P.S. I don't know if this will help but I only have 3 females no males.

 

[KrazyKuhli]

Unless you can catch them and put them in a separate section (breeding trap) they will more than likely be eaten.
 
Female livebearers can get pregnant at the fish shop and have a couple of batches from just one 'encounter' from a male....

 

[tweetie]

Can you buy breeding traps?

 

[KrazyKuhli]

http/www.swelluk.com/aquarium/fish-breeding-tank-dividers-17/breeding-traps-nets-135/marina-3-in-1-breeding-trap-262026.html?ref=shopping&utm_source=product-search&utm_medium=googlebase&gclid=CKjT3eLwtb0CFXMPtAodOzEAdA
 
I've used these before and they are great, the top/bottom are divided  by a plate that has slots in it, when the mum has her babies they drop into the bottom and are safe. when mum is done you take her out and take the plate out to give them more room.

 

[fluttermoth]

We don't usually advocate the use of breeding traps on this forum.
 
If you want a few fry to survive, it's best to add lots of live, fine leafed plants to your tank. Those provide not only hiding places for the fry, but are a source of small food particles as well.
 
Platy fry are quite large, being livebearers, and don't need special foods or any special care really, apart from good clean water and a good quality food.
 
Like most livebearers can store 'packets' of sperm for six months or so, and most females will be pregnant when you buy them, so you could have a lot of fry on the way...that is one reason why you can't save every single fry; you'd be overrun in no time, even if you had multiple tanks available.
 
With good feeding and plenty of water changes, they should be at adult size in five or six months, although may already have started breeding by then....

 

[DiddleBug]

I kept my tanks well planted when I had mollies and guppies.  Soon there were fry of all ages swimming around!  After the adults get used to the fry they just ignore them-even the day old ones usually.  I'd just sprinkle some crushed food in everyday for the little ones and they did fine.