Platy fry in my 55 gal community tank

pat72chevy · 12-17-2008, 02:50 PM

Ok, so I woke up this morning and notice that my pregnant red wag platy was not so big anyore. A few minutes later I notice 2 fry swimming around. I tried to fish them out but they disappeared into rocks and plants and such. My question is how do I get food to them and what are the chances of survival? I have a pretty well stocked tank with 20 different fish including platys, tiber barbs, black skirt tetras, red tail and bala shark and a pleco. I have numerous plants and structures for them to hide in. I cant see the fry anymore but think they are hiding? Should I just crush up a bunch of flakes and toss it in? I also have the frozen brine shrimp in the cubes. Any help anyone could give to help me give the fry the best chance at survival please let me know.

bunker_1 · 12-17-2008, 03:07 PM

I think you are on the right track. Those fry are smart little buggers. Instead of focusing on feeding them, I would point my efforts to catching them and seperating them. It is not easy at all. If you have some fake plants that will float, toss them in. The fry will end up there. Then take your net and go under the plant and slowly lift it. they will ususlly go into the net.

FroggyFox · 12-17-2008, 04:06 PM

I noticed that in a community tank, as long as there are a lot of hiding places...fry do pretty well

They are tiny enough that they will eat small things, leftover stuff...they wont starve to death. I wouldn't put a bunch of little food in your big tank because you'll just foul your water up.

If you were going to want to raise them then spending some time attempting to catch them would be worth it...but only if you have a fry net to keep them in...or even better another tank setup/cycled with a little warmer temperature. They should be fed more often and the water should be changed more often for the best growth

TMony · 12-17-2008, 08:36 PM

You can also get a little plastic tank at your LFS (often used for breeding and/or nursery) that hangs on the inside of your tank. See link below:

5 Plus Breeder, Nursery & Display Tank by Penn Plax at Petdiscounters.com

They have small slits in the sides and bottom so the water can circulate and you won't have to set up a new tank. It will keep the little guys/girls safe until they are a little bigger. Just a thought.

misterking · 12-18-2008, 11:06 AM

I'm the same as froggyfox, I've had success before just leaving them in. Chances are, there are LOTS more than two, and some being eaten would actually be of benefit to avoid a population crisis in the future; being livebearers they'll breed like rabbits. Put in some thick vegetation other fish won't be able to get in, like an artificial plant mat at the surface, which is where (out of experience) they'll usually hover until they're big enough.

pat72chevy · 12-18-2008, 11:31 AM

Thanks for all your help and advise, I will look into all these options. THe fact is I already have a pretty well stocked tank and have room for a couple more in my other tank but I may just let nature take its course and see who can survive. Thanks again for your help

pauline · 06-17-2009, 04:07 PM

i wouldnt personally recommend the plastic 1 as both my mollies just gave birth a day apart and i had 2 separate plastic breeding tank and little did i know that when i lifted the lid to put fry food in 11 fell through the slats!!!! i was gutted as by the time i got my small net out to save as many as i could my fish ate every one of them, so i went to my lfs and bought the net one and my 50 or so fry as safer which is great, but tryin to catch them is the tricky part, let me know how you get on.

bmoraski · 06-18-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat72chevy

Thanks for all your help and advise, I will look into all these options. THe fact is I already have a pretty well stocked tank and have room for a couple more in my other tank but I may just let nature take its course and see who can survive. Thanks again for your help

like was posted if you have hidding spots the little devils THEY WILL MAKE IT !
you can certainly let nature take its coarse as i am now doing in one of my tanks. i have my little tank for vacuumed up , and little guys in the filter.
i also read if you have a fry problem in your tank dont feed your fish for 3 or 4 days, lol
i tried the pantyhose on the intake but collected to much crap and restricted flow after couple days.
anyway hope this helps

12-17-2008, 02:50 PM	#1
pat72chevy Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 17	Platy fry in my 55 gal community tank Ok, so I woke up this morning and notice that my pregnant red wag platy was not so big anyore. A few minutes later I notice 2 fry swimming around. I tried to fish them out but they disappeared into rocks and plants and such. My question is how do I get food to them and what are the chances of survival? I have a pretty well stocked tank with 20 different fish including platys, tiber barbs, black skirt tetras, red tail and bala shark and a pleco. I have numerous plants and structures for them to hide in. I cant see the fry anymore but think they are hiding? Should I just crush up a bunch of flakes and toss it in? I also have the frozen brine shrimp in the cubes. Any help anyone could give to help me give the fry the best chance at survival please let me know.

12-17-2008, 03:07 PM	#2
bunker_1 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 584	I think you are on the right track. Those fry are smart little buggers. Instead of focusing on feeding them, I would point my efforts to catching them and seperating them. It is not easy at all. If you have some fake plants that will float, toss them in. The fry will end up there. Then take your net and go under the plant and slowly lift it. they will ususlly go into the net. __________________ Trying to breed GBR (standard and high fin), Discus, Angels, and currently breeding 6 types of guppies, 5 types of swords, 2 types of mollies, and RCS.

12-17-2008, 04:06 PM	#3
FroggyFox Forum Manager Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,479	I noticed that in a community tank, as long as there are a lot of hiding places...fry do pretty well They are tiny enough that they will eat small things, leftover stuff...they wont starve to death. I wouldn't put a bunch of little food in your big tank because you'll just foul your water up. If you were going to want to raise them then spending some time attempting to catch them would be worth it...but only if you have a fry net to keep them in...or even better another tank setup/cycled with a little warmer temperature. They should be fed more often and the water should be changed more often for the best growth __________________ 29, 46 & 55FW 29 SW + dog + horse + catYou can view info & photos of my critters here...

12-18-2008, 11:06 AM	#5
misterking Medium Fish Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 548	I'm the same as froggyfox, I've had success before just leaving them in. Chances are, there are LOTS more than two, and some being eaten would actually be of benefit to avoid a population crisis in the future; being livebearers they'll breed like rabbits. Put in some thick vegetation other fish won't be able to get in, like an artificial plant mat at the surface, which is where (out of experience) they'll usually hover until they're big enough. __________________ On an extended break - 67 gallon will hopefully be replaced by a 100 gallon but it may be years untill I can do this! In the meantime.. planning a small set-up for when I move into my rented house in summer!

06-17-2009, 04:07 PM	#7
pauline Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: glasgow Posts: 8	i wouldnt personally recommend the plastic 1 as both my mollies just gave birth a day apart and i had 2 separate plastic breeding tank and little did i know that when i lifted the lid to put fry food in 11 fell through the slats!!!! i was gutted as by the time i got my small net out to save as many as i could my fish ate every one of them, so i went to my lfs and bought the net one and my 50 or so fry as safer which is great, but tryin to catch them is the tricky part, let me know how you get on. __________________ [I]pauline 1 honey gourami 2 dwarf gouramis 49 neon tetras 1 opaline gourami 2 aquatic frogs 2 male mollies 1 pleco 4 female mollies and recently around 50 fry!! 1 male guppy and 3 females And 2 yellow belly turtles

12-17-2008, 08:36 PM	#4
TMony Medium Fish Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 400	You can also get a little plastic tank at your LFS (often used for breeding and/or nursery) that hangs on the inside of your tank. See link below: 5 Plus Breeder, Nursery & Display Tank by Penn Plax at Petdiscounters.com They have small slits in the sides and bottom so the water can circulate and you won't have to set up a new tank. It will keep the little guys/girls safe until they are a little bigger. Just a thought.

12-18-2008, 11:31 AM	#6
pat72chevy Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 17	Thanks for all your help and advise, I will look into all these options. THe fact is I already have a pretty well stocked tank and have room for a couple more in my other tank but I may just let nature take its course and see who can survive. Thanks again for your help