Hi! I've got a Platty who has already had a litter (I know that's not the right term, sorry) and that was about 2 weeks ago, at least. Now she looks like she's about to give birth again. The lady at petsmart told me about every 20 days they have babies... Is it true? What's the best way to tell when they're seriously ready to give birth, other than belly size?
Also, how old do the babies have to be in order to survive in a 55 gallon tank with the parents, Gouramis and Betta-Girls? (Plecos and corys won't harm babies, right?) There's one survivor from the last time my platty gave birth, and I'm just hoping my other fish won't eat him. (She spit them out while I was on vacation...) He's got a terrific hiding spot, and hopefully he won't get eaten... My Platty-Mom is in an incubator waiting very impatiently this time!
One more thing... My mom seems to think that Platties and Swordtails (or mainly ANY live bearers) will interbreed. Is this true?
Thanks for your help!
;o)
2007-06-26 04:40:57 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I said, I was on vacation when she had the babies, so I had no control over the what happened!
Plus, I have a 2 gallon (airrated) Betta tank for the babies, eventually.
I want to know how old they have to be to survive everyone else???
2007-06-26 04:59:20 · update #1
28 days is the typically accepted average between batches of babies for most common livebearers including Platys. If can be a week shorter or longer very easily and can even stretch out to 40 days without being abnormal.
The best measure for when babies can go back in your 55 is size rather than age. Simply put, when they are too large to be easten by the other fish. The pleco and corys aren't an issue, they won't bother the fry, but all of the other fish (including the parents) will consider them to be food is they can catch them and get them in thier mouths. In a separate tank and with clean water and good frequent feeding, they could reach that size in 2-3 weeks, but probably more like 5-6 on average.
Most livebearers can't interbreed. Some few can, but platys and swordtails is one that won't happen in your tank. The few viable crosses usually involve guppies.
Hope that helps
MM
2007-06-26 05:59:52 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you put those babies in the tank they will be eaten...keep them in a separate tank....till they are big...separate the mom from the male if you dont want any more fish..you can buy a little jar for the babies for about 5.00
2007-06-26 11:49:26 · answer #2 · answered by Betty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋