Platy had babies...Help!

G

goldentiff

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Feb 3, 2006
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My platy just had babies, I transferred them to a 1 gallon and placed a pump in it. But I have no idea what else I have to do.

1) What do I feed them?
2) Do I need to get a filter?
3) How fast do they grow?
4) The tank is completely empty of decorations/gravel, do I need to
give them hiding areas?
5) Does the water have to be a certain temperature?

Is there anything else I am not thinking of please advise me.

I feel like a new mommy and my son (his fish) is so excited, I apologize for so many questions but I want to make sure they all survive and thrive.

Thank you all in advance
 
1) What do I feed them?
Same flake as adults, crushed much smaller

2) Do I need to get a filter?
yes ASAP...and the tank needs to be cycled. The fry will not do well going through a cycle. Move media from your current tank to the filter in the new tank. However, 1 gallon will not be the best thing for them long term. You may be better off keeping them separated from the adults in the larger tank until you can get a bigger grow out tank, and properly prepare it.

3) How fast do they grow?
Quite quickly, provided they have enough space, clean water and enough food

4) The tank is completely empty of decorations/gravel, do I need to
give them hiding areas?
You don't need gravel, in fact, it would make it easier to clean their tank without it. You probably don't need decor, but they might like a few places to hide.

5) Does the water have to be a certain temperature?
Yes, just like for the adults
 
You might want to invest in some java moss. I have had many platy babies and they all love the java moss. It gives them a place to hide so their parents don’t eat them, and they will eat the moss until they are big enough for flakes. I’ve had about 3 or 4 rounds of platy babies and my LFS is starting to complain about all the ones I keep brining them.
 
Okay I can either buy bio-spira to quickly cycle tank or I can buy a divider for my 55g and give them their own space.

How big does the tank have to be? I didn't have a chance to count them all since I had to go to work (darn it). But calculating from sight I would say about 10 to 12.

Do they like water movement or still water? If I do go w/the divider I can place it near the filter where there is more movement and place a (clean/new) stocking over the pump for security. I also have a bubble wand in the 55 gallon, would this be okay?

My co-worker just offered me her 10g w/hood, light and filter (she hasn't had fish in yrs). Would this be large enough if I buy the bio-spira to cycle it?

Thank you so much for your help.
 
I think a divider would work fine. Or simply provide lots of plant cover. With the divider in place, I would put the fry in the side that does not have the filter uptake...then you are sure no fry would be lost to the filter. the bubble wand is probably fine too.

A 10 gallon would be perfect as a grow out tank. Personally, though, I wouldn't rely on BioSpira for cycling with such a small bioload. Rather, I would move some media from your cycled tank over to the new filter...maybe some gravel and decor too, and then challenge the filter with ammonia before putting the fry into the new tank. If you prefer, you could set up a breeding net in your 55 for the fry (rather than a divider) just to keep them until the new tank is ready.
 
The 10 gallon tank would be great for them. That's where mine live with their mommy. If you can, take some of the filter material and gravel out of the existing tank to try and get the 10 gallon cycled quickly.
 
I switched the fry to the one gallon this morning before leaving for work. Do you guys think they will still be alive until I can get home, set-up new 10 gallon w/bio-spira and media (as well as gravel and deco.) from other tank.

P.S.
My hubby just called me...he counted "21" fry -- whoaaa
 
I would buy a 0 gallon tank with an airpump and stone and a Whsiper 20 Aquarium Filter. Put a piece of pantyhose over the filter to keep it from sucking up all of the fish. You can remove this when they get 3/4 of an inch long and will no longer be able to fit through the strainer.
 
I usually just put fry in a $2.00 breeder net. Almost zero expense in keeping them healthy for a month or so before releasing them into the community. ...and you don't have to worry about toxins spiking in a newly set up tank.

Also, fry typically like slightly warmer water, so a breeder tank closer to a light source (but not in direct light) might provide a little extra warmth.

I also feed my fry at least twice as often as full grown fish.
 
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