I have 2 platys and one is pregnant. how am i supposed to divid the tank . its only a 5 gallon. if i get a divider should I put the mother on the side without the filter so the babies wont get sucked up. and then after there born should I take the mother out of that side and put it on the other side with the 3 other fish. And what do I feed the babies? and what do i use to divide the tank? please help me. or should i just get a small seperate tank at petco to put the babies in. please answer a couple at least if you know them. thank u so much.
2007-11-05 07:31:06 · 6 answers · asked by stephen G 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I would skip the idea of a divider completely, your tank is way to small to do that
I would rather get either another tank, which functions as a breeding tank or get live plants for your tank where the fry can hide
As for feeding, either get "First Bites" which is a very fine powder or grind your flakefood to powder
feed them up to 4 times a day, but be careful on how much you put in there
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
Feel free to email me or follow the link in my profile
2007-11-05 07:53:47 · answer #1 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can get a breeding tank for a couple of quid at a pet shop.They fix to the side of your tank in various ways or they float. Put the female in there but careful not to stress her, wait until the babies are born and then remove the mother gently. Its easier than a divider and if she gets pregnant again you can just get a new breeding tank. Good luck with your babies.
P.s the babies can eat crushed up fish food, dont worry.
2007-11-05 08:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt separate mom. When you do that with platies they tend to get stressed and can abort the pregnancy (they just push out the eggs even though they havent hatched yet).
My philosophy on pregnant platies is to let nature run its course...but give it a helping hand. If you want baby fish (which in a 5 gallon, it seems you could get overrun quickly) then put lots of fine plants in it (hornwort or java mossworks well) and let some of the plant float. Also add some small decorations (cheapest thing are those tiny terrcotta pots, just put the upside down, babies can get in, but mom cant) It gives the babies a place to hide.
If you dont want babies, remove any fine plants like hornwort and replace it with things like sword plant and moneywort. There is no hiding place in those.
A lot of times you can do more harm by trying to mess with them.
Thats just my 2 cents;)
And be careful with platies. In the right condition, they breed liek crazy and soon you will have too many fish, and either have to give some away or do what I did and have a "Girl's tank" and a "Boy's tank".
2007-11-05 07:52:12 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The platty will have live babies...best to separate her in a holding tank...they sell those small ones in petco for sick and pregnant fish...then when she is done laying them take her out...the babies should be born in the segragated tank otherwise they will be eaten...sometimes the parent will even eat them...most times they can eat very finely ground up flakes but if you are going to petco ask if they have any tother suggestions.
2007-11-05 07:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by mntlrldx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a fish have babies once. Once they are born I would seperate them from there mother because there have been cases were the mother eats them. When I had babies they couldn't eat fish food but they ate the alge on the walls.
Hope this helps.
2007-11-05 08:20:16 · answer #5 · answered by claire s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to a pet store and look for one of these things
http://e-aquarium.com.au/images/Aquarium_Fish_Breeder_Net.JPG
http://www.fishandfins.co.uk/images/10934.jpg
price is from $5-10
and as far as food.. look for either baby brine shrimp or
http://www.teradoty.com/bettas/IMAGES/liquidfry.jpg
2007-11-05 07:36:17 · answer #6 · answered by brooklynsb0i 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋