Your Platy
Hello JC...
Livebearing fish like your Platy are all raised together, so the females are pregnant as soon as they're physically able. The interesting thing about livebearing fish is the females are able to delay dropping the fry until they feel water conditions are right for fry survival. To encourage the female, you need to plant the surface well. I use Anacharis and Hornwort in all my Platy tanks. These plants are natural water filters and a nutritious food supplement.
Keep the tank water free of dissolved wastes by removing and replacing at least half the tank water weekly, more often is better. Make the new water a bit warmer than what's already in the tank and add a bit of standard aquarium salt to the new, treated tap water. A heaping teaspoon for every 5 gallons of new water is enough.
If your Platy is ready, the flush of warm, pure water with a bit of salt will encourage her. I change out a lot of water every week in my tanks and have new fry weekly.
B
