platy DID look pregnant...

[MDDad]

One of my new platies appeared to be pregnant just a couple days ago, just starting to square off a little...now, NOTHING. She never behaved in any odd way like I hear they do when giving birth, so I don't think she birthed and they were all eaten before I even saw them.

What I'm wondering is...did she miscarry?

When I did a 30% water change last night, she (and most of the other fish including Serpae tetras) stayed pretty much in the corner of the tank. Could I have scared her into a miscarriage??

BTW - if they're THAT scared by a water change, how do I avoid that? I don't want to stress the poor things to death!

 

[Autumnsky]

Would she happen to be a young mother? Often happens with young moms. The pwc shouldn't have really caused an issue. I have had some Platy do the same thing, but I am thinking small # delivery and eaten by hungry mom?

Do you have anything floating around the top so the babies can hide?


Is your intake for your filter covered with a screen type material or sponge so little babies don't get sucked in?

 

[MDDad]

The mom is young, she is barely an inch long.

I do have a small hornwort clump. Smaller than it used to be, because a lot of the needles shed, but it seems to have stabilized and started showing some new growth.

Good point about the filter.

 

[coralbandit]

My bumble bee platy drop pre mature fry [like 30!] that i found in the mosses and plants,and then almost 2 weeks later gave birth to 13 healthy fry!
She is not small...Sometimes they just do this...Floating plants,moss and a sponge prefilter at least will help with the fry.

 

[nirbhao]

Prefilters are a must with fry.

Good luck with the next brood!