I'm new here. One of my reasons for searching out places like this is that one of the new platies we got about a month ago is pregnant.
Today she began having her babies!
We noticed 2 about 45 mins ago... and we think we've counted 8 so far now.
We put her into a 1.5 gal tank by herself about 2 weeks ago. There are three very leafy artificial plants weighted down to the gravel and then one bushy, grassy looking floating plant (the grassy leaves going down into the water - it takes up about 50% of the surface). It's a square tank with a small filter and an air pump. The light that came with it has a blue and a red colored lens(?) that snaps over the bare lights (8 tiny bulbs) - we're using the blue one right now. Does anyone know what benefits each color might bring to the tank environment? That wasn't really explained in all the instructions.
The only thing I know about determining when she's done with having her babies is to watch her shrink in size - she's still fairly big and boxy looking so I don't think she's done yet but she does seem smaller than roughly an hour ago. I've read that she could take all day having them - so she'll likely not be removed until tomorrow or very late tonight.
Our plan for now is to allow these fry to grow up and be added to our 30 gal tank. Then it will be survival of the fittest. We moved this one, this time, because we ended up with 3 males and 1 female when we bought them (impulse buy - and no real knowledge about sexing them before buying - we just picked out the four by appearance). The female, Hershey, of course ended up pregnant - but it's also possible she already was pregnant when we bought her... they came from a tank of 30 or more at Wal-mart. Two of the males have since died... so when we put her back in the big tank the ratio will be 1/1 for the platies.
We also have a 3yo blue gourami. A 3yo Chinese Algae Eater died after we added the platies. We're doing what we can with frequent water changes in the big tank to make sure water quality is the best possible. I'm hoping to buy a testing kit soon - but need to learn more about what type would be best for us. (working on that in another folder)
Any tips or advice about growing these fry to adults?
How long to maturity for platies?
These little guys are most dark like their mama and about 1/4" long.
Thanks in advance for your advice and tips.