My pregnant platy is due to birth tonight or tomorrow. I've noticed her being frantically chased by the males, as well as the yoyo loaches who chase her out of every hiding spot, and the penguin tetras are watching her every move. I've moved her into a little breeding box, but I hate it, it's tiny and flimsy. What do you reckon? Is it better to leave her in the tank to be harassed, or keep her in the box to give her some peace? (I'm actually not too fussed about saving the fry, more just concerned for her welfare).
The lesser evil?
- Thread starter Mcor
- Start date
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Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
How scary for her! Keep her in the box, away from the light with a piece of plant for cover. If you have some frozen worms I'm sure she'd appreciate them.
Thanks, ill try pop something over the lid of her box to reduce the glare somewhat. There is a bit of plant in there for her but I'll pop some more in. I have freeze dried tubifex ill pop in there for her. (I hate the box though ... If I try remove the lid the whole thing seems to fall apart. I don't rate it at all! Avoid API breeder boxes!!)
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have the ones that have a plastic frame with a stretch net around it. They have an optional horizontal divider to allow the fry to fall to the lower level away from mamma, and an optional vertical divider for the isolation of two fish. I mostly use them without any dividers. I got them off eBay- no name Chinese products, but exceptionally handy.
Yeah that sounds like an idea. Mine has all those dividers too but they just rest inside and don't 'clip' into place at all. Get it wedged in, put it in the water and it 'floats' off again. She looks rather happy now. Last time I tried it with my other platy, it was horrible! She refused to birth in it and waited until the moment I released her! But she can hold her own in the tank. She's big mama for a reason. Little mama (the yellow one in there now) is younger and a little more polite.
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
More like waiting for a feast! :-(
Had to adjust it all. 2 of the bigger fry got in! They managed to get on top and fall through the holes in the lid. I've lifted the whole thing so the lid is totally out of the water. I see this whole thing potentially being a disaster. Definitely buying a better trap.
You say that, I have never witnessed the platys eating fry. I know they are supposed to! The culprits in my tank are the penguin tetras. They sit and wait, as soon as one pops out they lunge. And I sit there helpless, watching and shouting at them to stop it!
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
OMG that's hilarious! That fry should have his own cartoon! You sure you didn't photoshop that gigantic eye on there??? Rofl!
Ian086
Aquarium Advice Addict
I got sick of those small traps. Mine was a marina, so small. I like to keep the fry, so I use a reptile/fish box. It's basically a large plastic box. It's a 2ltr volume box and is a lot bigger than those traps. They should be readily available in you LFS or online. Various sizes. I put some fake plants into it, for the fry. I use strong algae magnets to secure it to the glass(inside!!)......
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
Perfect! Thank you!
Cactuspixie
Aquarium Advice Addict
You're welcome! I only just realized my text didn't get posted along with the link *again*
Ian086
Aquarium Advice Addict
That'll do perfect. Just make sure you have some fake plants in it for the fry to hide. My guppies don't seem to eat the fry though... You could always make your own from a milk container or a food container, both washed well of course!!. Load of video's on youtube. Very easy to do....
