platies What Sex ??

[Vectrum]

Please can any one tell me how to go aboult finding out what Sex my red platies
are?? and dose any one know if red platies get there color from dyeing or is it nataule. thanks

regards alastair

 

[BigSteve]

♂ Easy... male platys (and swordtails) have a modified anal fin
at bottom of body, between belly and tail. It's called a gonopodium,
and actually looks like a little tube, or male sex organ. On females
the anal fin actually looks like a normal fin. Also females have
fatter rounder bodies. But the anal fin I referred to is the easiest
way to sex them.

 

[timbo_ska]

This anal fin is also practically always extended on females - its REAL obvious!

 

[Vectrum]

Thanks iv just had a look and iv got 3 males and two Females will thiss become a problem ?

regards alastair

 

[Zenn]

I just ask the same question on the livebearers section

 

[Becca]

Ok, stupid question. But hell, what the hey.

Noticed that the way to tell a male from a female with Platys are the same as with Mollies. (And yes, I probably already know the answer...but...) I'm assuming Platys are livebearers then?

 

[appleblossom]

Yes they are Becca

 

[jasmine]

It is best to keep 2 females to each male.

 

[sumer_kay]

You are going to want at least two females per male to make keep them happy. I do have one and one that do well, but more males than females is bound to cause aggression.

 

[EX-AmP]

i like a 3-1 ratio a lot better

 

[big_fresh]

I used to have more males than females...there was a lot of chasing and fin nipping..but now that the ratio is 3females per male....in a bigger tank, there are less squabbling

 

[Vectrum]

if i added a few more females would i have to stick with red ones like i have or could i mix a defarent vereant with them for the same afect??

regards alastair

 

[Zenn]

As for me, i only have one Leapod platy and he is fine, he used to be aggressive, until i put him in a aggression tank for something like 3 months then i let him out and he gets on just fine with the other fish, i used to have two, but by my guess they were both females, and then did NOT get along, one was bigger than the other when my parents got them for me from the pets store, and the one that was bigger, did not like ANY of the fish and tried to attack them all, now i dont take this and took him back, but the other platy i tamed and managed to let her get along with the other fish, more than ever, he is affraid of the swordtails, Especially mommy of me fry, she shases him around then tank when he cross her (Dont worry, they dont bite one another, she just chases him off and then returns to her spot)



But platies are rather like Mollies, at first i thought my leapod platy was a molly, until i read a book... lol

 

[Dragonscales]

Guppies can be distinguished in the way described above as well.
Different coloured platys will breed together, the colours of the fry will be more defined after several generations of breeding the same coloured fish though. There is also a cold water variety of platy called a papagian, these are also compatible with regular platys too. I agree with the others in terms of maybe getting a few more females though, and hey, bonus of more fry if ya do

 

[Vectrum]

ill have a look at getting some more as soon as my tank seltels a little. thanks for all your help