View Full Version : Funny Swimming patterns (Possibly mating)
Winterose
09-21-2008, 1:35 PM
So my platys are doing great now but they seem to be swimming in odd patterns that go somewhat like this: Swim in a group -> Swim in pairs -> swim alone -> Gather in a group behind a bunch of plants. its kinda amusing to watch but I'm wondering does it mean they may be attempting to have babies?. I don't know a lot about the mating process for live bearers or fish in general so i was just curious. i can get a video of you guys want, it would be a long one thought.
Oh and sometimes they do it outa that order but its most often in that order
NeonFlux
09-21-2008, 1:44 PM
Yep, they are in the feel to go matey
jm1212
09-21-2008, 2:38 PM
platies dont really have a set mating pattern. the male will chase the female around a bit and then...
Winterose
09-21-2008, 3:08 PM
sweet, yay babies
Winterose
09-21-2008, 3:56 PM
so wait, how long till they have babies if they are in fact mating?
DAVIDFBT
09-21-2008, 4:15 PM
Platies are livebearers, meaning that they actually do get pregnant. If they did mate, the female will start getting fatter and fatter, and there will be a dark spot at her butt that will get bigger the closer she is to giving birth.
KarlTh
09-21-2008, 4:31 PM
She's already pregnant. They always are. Female platys exist in three states: juvenile, pregnant, and dead. No exaggeration.
Mating behaviour for poeciliid livebearers is essentially breathing. Only a dead one isn't up for it.
MrGoodbytes
09-21-2008, 4:47 PM
She's already pregnant. They always are. Female platys exist in three states: juvenile, pregnant, and dead. No exaggeration.
LOL! :grinyes: That about sums it up. Their gestation period is about 4 weeks.
Winterose
09-21-2008, 4:50 PM
ok great to know, now i guess i need to find a breeders net or something to isolate the babies when they come so they don't become snacks. wonder if anyone around here has an exsta they could send me...*wanders off to post a wtb ad.*
KarlTh
09-21-2008, 5:01 PM
I wouldn't worry. What you really need is to ensure you have enough predatory fish to not be knee deep in the things within a year. They can have more than 50 at a time.
Winterose
09-21-2008, 5:26 PM
i was assuming i would be able to sell them for a little money to my lfs or petco
KarlTh
09-22-2008, 1:08 AM
Only if you've got a 20 gallon or larger tank spare to grow them on in.