Did I do the right thing with my pregnant fish?

[99SH]

I have 4 platy's, among other fish, in my 90 gallon. One has been pregnant for a few weeks. After looking here and talking to my lfs, I did the following:

Cleaned up my empty 10 gallon an bought a filter for it (didn't have one), an aquaclear mini (only flows like 100gph). The tank also has a small air pump, so there is very little current.

Filled it with water from the 90. The 90 has no health problems.

Took the platy out with a fish net and put her in. The tank only has 3 fake plants right now, and she's by herself.

The water is 80 degrees, PH 8, amm 0, nitrite 0.

What I want to know is, is this the way to do it? Did I stress the fish too much moving her? I plan to watch and take the platy out soon after she gives birth. Any other ideas?

[pinballqueen]

You might want to add some gravel from your established tank to the breeder tank. Very little of the beneficial bacteria you need actually lives in the water, rather, it attaches itself to the decorations and walls of the tank.

I have never removed a pregnant fish from the school myself. I've always just let nature take its course... but, that's just me, and I didn't really care if I had more guppies, because I was already overrun! (Besides, I use mine as feeders, but that's a different story...)

[thom336]

i would increase your planting if you wish to save the young, so they have a better chance of escaping their mother. i would also keep the mother well fed, as i have found this to be a good way to stop her indulging on her young. to me the tank sounds a bit elaborate for a short stay breeding set up...but you have very lucky fish i guess. lol.

[virangos]

:D
The tank sounds fine. I definatly agree with some gravel and more plants.

Put a sponge over the inlet tube of that filter so it doesn't suck up the babys

Platys gestate in the range of 28 days so figure after she gives birth about a month later you will probably have more.

I have had very good luck with using either net breeders or fry traps. the net breeders allow you to keep the mom confined in your main tank. Keep her well fed. The breeder comes with some cover for the fry I bought 2 and combined the plants in 1 net, the more cover the better.

After the fish are born you can let mom rest for a day or two and than let her back in the main tank. I keep the babys in the net for about a week than transfer them to a ten to let them grow.

The fry like to eat. I found that " O.S.I. Nibblers" seem to work well. They come in tablets that you press on to your tank glass and the fish come up to them to eat. For the fry I just break a little piece off and crumble it up.

Good luck

[Mr.Jingles]

You shouldnt be wondering wether or not you did the right thing with your fish...the question you should be asking yourself is, did I do the right thing with my life?

[Dr.Guppy]

I dont have to worry about that...I still have the most of it yet to come!