It’s also common for a pregnant female to develop a dark spot near her back fin. This is caused by the eyes of the unborn fry pressing against her scales.
A minimum tank size of 29 gallons is recommended if you plan on letting your fish reproduce not letting them eat their fry.
A separate aquarium for your fry can be purchased at most pet stores. This tank should be at least 5 gallons (or more, depending on how many babies the mother produces).
Plastic plants can be used, but live plants can often be a source of extra nutrition for your fish, who may take small bites of them to supplement their diets. [4] X Research source There are many types of live plants that platies enjoy, which should be available at your local pet store. Good choices include bunch plants, such as anacharis and cabomba, floating plants like hornwort and water sprite, and mosses such as java moss. [5] X Research source Many (but probably not all) of your platy fry will survive in a community tank if it contains enough plants for them to hide in. [6] X Research source A breeding trap is a plastic box with small holes that goes inside a fish tank. The mother is placed inside the breeding trap, and when the fry are born, they can escape through the small holes to avoid being eaten. The mother will not be able to follow them.
You generally have between 24 and 30 days to make accommodations for your new fry once the mother shows signs of pregnancy. [8] X Research source Once the mother gives birth, you can expect to have 20-40 new fry on average. Sometimes, this number can climb as high as 80. [9] X Research source
Feed the fish small amounts several times a day, about as much food as they can eat in three minutes. [11] X Research source Some platy owners like to crush or grind pelleted or flaked food before feeding it to fry, as this will make it easier for them to eat. [12] X Research source For platy fish to develop the brilliant colors that make them so beautiful, they must be fed a varied diet early in life, containing both protein and plant-based foods. [13] X Research source Specially formulated food is commercially available for platy fry, but is not necessary. [14] X Research source
Changing 25 percent of the water at least every two weeks is typically adequate. [15] X Expert Source Craig MortonFish & Aquarium Specialist Expert Interview. 21 July 2020. If the water becomes cloudy or full of debris, it should be changed more often.
Platy reach full size after about four months. [16] X Research source If you decide to try to introduce them to the community tank sooner than that, keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t being eaten by the adults.
