Funny Swimming patterns (Possibly mating)

[Winterose]

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]

Yep, they are in the feel to go matey

 

[jm1212]

platies dont really have a set mating pattern. the male will chase the female around a bit and then...

 

[Winterose]

sweet, yay babies

 

[Winterose]

so wait, how long till they have babies if they are in fact mating?

 

[DAVIDFBT]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.