In my 20G I had female platies only, but obviously inseminated before purchase. The fry never survived. When we added more platies with a larger tank and new low-lying piece of driftwood, I let a male in as well and probably pregnant females. It has only been several weeks, and I have got fry. Everyday I see a new one, and they don't look like they will be going anywhere any time soon. I thought the other fish would eat them, but.....! I know that even if I get rid of the male, these girls are gonna keep reproducing like rabbits. Do I have room for a fry eating fish? These things are going to take over my tank. Any advise?
Platy fry control
- Thread starter mozart
- Start date
Hurm, I'm not aware that platies store sperm, so how will they keep reproducing like rabbits? Do you mean that the male has already done his thing, but they have yet to have their babies? I'm surprised that your pearl gouramis haven't snacked on them. You could add a few rainbows. They would surely eat them.
Livebearers can store sperm and continue having babies for 3-4 months after they've had contact with a male.
I am interested in this topic as well because my one female platy has had creeping up on 30 babies since I got her. She pops them out every 4 weeks like clockwork and with the plants I have very few seem to become dinner like I'd hoped.
Yah, now that you say that I recall guppies doing that too. Brain fart I guess. That's probably why serious livebearer breeders keep males and female young apart from each other.
Gouramis, most larger tetra (not sure you'd have room for the school) and betta are what I employ to keep livebearers and bay.
My female betta looks like a heffer (unbred, female cow) as a result. She always lurking around through the floating plants, trying to scare out a fry to nibble on.
With the Gourami/Betta route, one for the whole tank only please. Otherwise (regardless of sex or species), you're opening yourself up for conflict.
Good luck.
My female betta looks like a heffer (unbred, female cow) as a result. She always lurking around through the floating plants, trying to scare out a fry to nibble on.
With the Gourami/Betta route, one for the whole tank only please. Otherwise (regardless of sex or species), you're opening yourself up for conflict.
Good luck.
Bettas maybe, but Gourami can and do co-exist. Every post I see says that they are agressive and should not be kept with others, yet no one seems to have any real world experience. This seems to be a "I read several times so it must be true thing". I have multiple Gourami in 2 tanks and the only trouble I've had has been due to a Platy!
