Platy population explosion

[richardL]

Hi again-
I've got a 12 gallon tank with 3 adult female platies and 3 fry about 2 months old (and some tetras as well). Yesterday I pulled out some java moss and noticed at least 4 more newborn platy fry (in addition to their 3 older brothers and sisters). That makes 10 platies of varying ages. While it's exciting to see the miracle of life being created in my tank, I clearly will soon have a problem with too many fish. I also don't understand how one of the females got pregnant again with no males in the tank... obviously I'm missing something... (I'm about 99% sure they are females). I've only got one fishkeeping friend, and I can't be sure he'll want some of these guys- is it common for the lfs to take fish that people breed at home? Any general advice on this situation is appreciated.

 

[mandimoron]

Lady platies are talented in that they can store sperm in their bodies and impregnate themselves weeks after being isolated from any males. >_<

I think most fish stores would be willing to take the fry, but not all of them will pay you. Some stores will give you store credit, but I wouldn't expect to receive much. The amount they'd be willing to pay will probably depend on the colouration and finnage of the fry-- hi-fin platies, for example, will likely fetch slightly more than basic, garden variety platies. Call around and see, it never hurts to ask!

 

[richardL]

Thanks mandi, that's fascinating info about the female platys... I guess that's what's happening here. So about how many times can I expect her to impregnate herself?

 

[CatLover]

Guppies, which are also livebearers like our quickly reproducing friend the platy, have been known in some cases to store sperm and have fry 2-6 MONTHS after the male has been removed from the tank.

I have had guppies for a long time, and I am trying to phase them out of my fishkeeping because I am so sick of seeing the fry get eaten, or sometimes not eaten. I am now down to 2 female adults and a male fantail that I am very attatched to. In my other tank I have 2 fry (about .5 inches) that are both females. Let's just say that they will not be having relations with the male in the tank across the room.