how to tell if a platy is pregnant

If the fish already has dark scales, you probably won't notice any change in their color. The female may also stay at the bottom of the tank as it is too heavy to swim to the top. The female platy will begin to display noticeable pregnancy signs approximately 2 weeks following the mating phase. Today I'll be showing you how to Tell if your Platy is pregnant and WHEN she will give birth. When can you tell the gender of platyfish? Female platies typically measure around 2, even 3 inches, while males will settle for around 1.5. If you have a platy, then you might be wondering if it is pregnant. Changes in Behavior: You may also notice that your pregnant female platy is undergoing some changes in her normal behavioral pattern. The same will happen during feeding when the female dives after the flakes and attacks anyone in its way. If you notice this happening, take the male fish out and return him to the original tank. However, Platy fish also become fat due to dropsy infection, tumor, bad water conditions, constipation, and overfeeding. Even though it usually only takes a few hours, it can take up to a few weeks for a pregnant platy to give birth to all of her offspring. You can tell whether a platy's gender through their anal fin. Young platies, at their first pregnancy, may only deliver several fry. Separate a pregnant platy about a week or a few days before she gives birth. Here are useful care tips for pregnant platy fish: It is a good idea to separate a pregnant platy fish to protect the young from being eaten by other fish. For example, platyfish that are about to give birth may begin following the father around. Platy fish become fat mostly when they are pregnant, associated with a gravid spot and change in behavior like aggression, and nesting. The abdomen will also enlarge as her young develop within her belly. Good luck! The action you just performed triggered the security solution. This ultralight gear list has been evolving and improving for over a decade and we've tested it from Alaska to Patagonia.. "/> If you can't, decide how to separate based on the parental behavior: If the parents laid eggs in a nest and defended them from other fish, use the net to divide the parents and the eggs on one side, and the other fish on the others. A female platy will have a circular anal fin that looks like a fan. A pregnant platyfish undergoes four stages of pregnancy from its development until it gives birth to its young. You may see the female snapping at other fish in the tank as soon as they come near it. If your fish would like to hide from the outside world, they can also hide behind the plants, making them feel more comfortable. If youre a beginner with platies in your aquarium, this guide contains everything you need to know about pregnant platies, including signs, duration, stages, and proper care. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Once the mother gives birth, you can expect to have 20-40 new fry on average. So how can you tell if your platy is pregnant? Duckweed and java moss are too strong choices for these fish. Breast enlargement or tenderness Increased frequency of urination (without associated pain) Fatigue Other signs that typically occur later in pregnancy include: Mild uterine cramping Abdominal bloating Constipation Heartburn Nasal congestion Shortness of breath (mild) Food cravings or aversions Mood changes Lightheadedness Understanding how to identify the early signs of pregnancy and how to care for the upcoming fry is essential to ensuring their survival. All Rights Reserved. Here are the things we'll be digging into today:- Your Platys might be breeding and you dont even know it- How to tell male and female platy fish- What is the gravid spot and how to find it on a platy- How to tell when a female platy will give birth- Signs that a platy is about to give birthThanks for watching!! Remember that platyfish are livebearers, meaning that when the mother gives birth, her babies start to swim freely. Some of the most common questions that people ask about caring for pregnant platy include: The exact number of fry that a pregnant platy will give birth to will vary from fish to fish. If you notice that your pregnant platy is about to give birth to her fry soon, then you should set up something called a breeding box, an isolated area within the tank that will keep the fry safe after they are born. Your female platies appetite will change visibly as the pregnancy progresses. This dark spot will develop on the female's belly. The gravid spot is nothing more than the accumulation of eggs and then the fry, growing inside. At which point her bum hole (no nicer way to put it) will start to look swollen . read more. The female platy's stomach area will expand. But that only happens because the fry hatch from their eggs inside their mothers womb. put marbles in the corners of the tank for baby fry to hide in or get a second tank (I recommend a 5 gallon) to put the fry in after birth so they don't get eaten. Even though this is unusual, you should prepare for this possibility. The pregnant fish may also start following the male around the tank. However, I recommend testing the aquarium water to ensure she isnt hiding due to ammonia poisoning. This comes at no extra cost to you. On my behalf, it'd be awesome if you could show them some support at their channel, LINK BELLOW:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrcKLfGK0dN0lzTj2ps5IAJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNt0FveE9ZW_TpiY0IhnFNg/joinThank you! 01 Lecture using black board SSN Structure (Sexual dimorphism) and life history of Ascaris lumbricoides 01 Lecture using black board. In fact, your platy may refuse her meals due to distress when her labor sets in. I found a study by Michael J. Siciliano of The University of Chicago that revealed that some varieties of platyfish had a gestation period between 27 and 35.5 days. Keep the temperature of the aquarium and the pH at proper and stable levels. how to tell if a female platy is pregnant?how to know when pregnant platy female will give birth? You should supervise the pregnant platies regularly to make sure larger ones dont bully the smaller ones into hiding. You can tell that your platies have entered the love zone when males begin to swim around the females frantically, looking for its approval. In general, the pregnant platy gravid spot will enlarge and become darker when she is pregnant. Hey guys!In today's video I will be showing some tricks I use to tell if a female Platy is pregnant and when she will give birth. The queen is depressed, lethargic, or has a fever . There are a few signs that you should watch for to let you know if your platy is pregnant and when she is about to give birth. The pregnant platy will become aggressive towards males and females for different reasons. The livebearing process can take a few hours since the platy drops one fry at a go. Obese platies are a rare sight, but not impossible. It's a fairly easy process once you know the signs to look for, which I'll be showing you today! Usually, this type of behavior takes place right before your pregnant platy is about to give birth. The latter may starve as a result or simply experience higher levels of stress, affecting their immune system. You need to make sure that you know how to take care of your pregnant platy as well. You may even notice that the abdomen begins to protrude. The abdomen will also enlarge as her young develop within her belly. Look for Physical Changes: In addition to the pregnant platy. If your platy already has dark scales, you might have a hard time noticing changes; however, you may also see black spots appearing all over her body. A large boxy abdomen with gravid spot is usually a sign of advanced pregnancy. Location. Platies are some of the most popular aquarium livebearers next to guppies, thanks to their hardiness, high levels of energy, and impressive displays of color and patterns. During the first days of the pregnancy, you might not see changes in appetite. Gender differences start to be visible when platies are between 5 and 6 months old. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. This takes about 28 days, after which the fish gives birth. Spots are only one of the ways that you can tell if your platy is pregnant. In some situations, a platy that appears to be pregnant may be sick instead. Another symptom is a swollen abdomen that starts to show more two weeks into the gestation period. Stress can prove fatal to aquarium fish, including platies since it weakens their immune system and turns them into sitting ducks for diseases, parasites, and infections. Then, her abdomen will start to swell. If your Platy is showing the signs of pregnancy, then the first thing you should look for is a gravid spot. when get to a matured age once and be in a same tank with a male, usually gets pregnant once in every 4 weeks, so it is very normal for her to be pregnant. In fish like Goodeid livebearers, where there is a connection between the developing young and the mother (or in mammals like us), there are stages in pregnancy, but a platy isn't really pregnant. The average pregnancy lasts about 28 days. They may also go into hiding more often, trying to break the line of sight with their pursuers. The birthing process can take a little while. What are the parameters 4. Gentle pulling on a trapped fetus causes the queen pain. Usually, she is refusing to eat due to stress. This isnt necessarily a sign of pregnancy on its own because female platies are sometimes aggressive towards one another as part of maintaining their social pecking order. Her appetite increases, although it drops off soon before she gives birth. As a closing note, I suggest relying on a breeding tank. If you observe your fish closely, youll notice a pregnant platy eating more than usual. If youre looking to make sure your pregnant female platies experience a safe pregnancy, provide them with the optimal conditions, which include: The female platy will display several signs that labor is approaching. Otherwise, you can also identify a platy's gender through their color, shape, and size. When the fry start to come out, you will notice that they are born one at a time. When this spot develops, she is likely pregnant. Lets dive into platies biology and behavior to discover the main signs of pregnancy that you should keep in mind. A pregnant platy will be much larger than the rest of the fish in the tank. Before giving birth, the platyfish will hide in a secluded tank area to deliver safely and protect its fry. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Its up to the females to let them know that things dont always go as smoothly as you might suspect. Can you Plant Water Lily in Aquarium? Music Types and Loudness. The investment is worth it since it will provide the resulting fry with a safe and comfortable environment during the most sensitive and vulnerable period of their lives. Males tend to be more slender-looking with slimmer and more compact bodies. Dec 29, 2011. If the temperature of the water drops too low, then the breeding process might take longer. The gestation period takes around 24 to 30 days. Platy Fish Pregnant Signs The easiest way you can tell that pregnancy is coming is by identifying the mating phase. When she is close to giving birth, her abdomen may even take on a "square" shape, and her cloaca may become dilated. If the temperature and pH are a bit off, correct them. The gestation period of platy fish lasts about 28 days. Make sure that the tank is large enough to take care of all of these fish comfortably. But, worrying alone doesn't do anything. The females tend to eat more and more often than before since they now require extra calories to support their pregnancy. They also become ready to become pregnant just two weeks after giving birth, so get a big tank for platies if you want to breed them. These lights are important for keeping your platy healthy during the breeding and pregnancy process. Required fields are marked *. Therefore, you do not have to wait for any eggs to hatch. This is different than mammals, who lack an egg phase during their intrauterine developmental phase. Her overall color will darken, and her appetite and aggression will also increase. However, it does become a sign of pregnancy when combined with other signs that Ive already mentioned. As the fry are born, you will notice the tails start to come out first. #3. in a word - yes! The easiest way you can tell that pregnancy is coming is by identifying the mating phase. How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant: 7 Major Signs Heat cycles cease Enlarged abdomen Appetite increase Nipples swelling Weight gain Vomiting Mood Changes Physical and Mood Changes in a Pregnant Cat Various signs can tell you that your cat is indeed pregnant. Spots are only one of the ways that you can tell if your platy is pregnant. Watch her and her belly will start to flatten at the bottom so she takes on an almost square shape. When she is close to giving birth, her abdomen may even take on a "square" shape, and her cloaca may become dilated. How do I know if my platy is going to give birth? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a remake of am old video of mine which got lots of views, but I wanna make an updated version with some extra info and tips. Heres Why, Can I Put Cuttlebone in My Aquarium? Sometimes, the birthing process takes a few hours. Why Did My Glofish Died After Water Change? At times, the pregnant platy would do this as well. If you are wondering if your platy is pregnant, and there are a few different things you should watch for. If she's pregnant she will have a big belly and the dark spots near her dairy air (or whatever fish have)!! Sylvia Walters never planned to be in the food-service business. SmartAquariumGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Literally. If you are not sure, better be safe then sorry so if you have no other fish in the school, leave them there, if you have others, then transfer them to a 10-20g fry tank and once the eggs are born, then you can raise them and then have more platys. In addition, the breeding tank will also serve as a protective tank for the fry (baby fish). At this point, female platies will try whatever they can to keep them back, including violence and defensive swimming. Benefits and Safety. When you have a pregnant platy, it is incredibly important that you know how to care for her. 18 related questions found. These aggressive episodes arent too serious, but you should monitor the situation, either way, to make sure they dont get out of hand. In today's video I will be showing some tricks I use to tell if a female Platy is pregnant and when she will give birth. at that point she's close to having her babies. In other cases, the birthing process can take a few weeks. The problem is that, in the majority of cases, the labor triggers during nighttime which may make it more difficult to observe the process. Keep An Eye On What You Have in The Tank You can also add live plants such as Java moss and Java ferns. They dont care that the female has already mated and is no longer interested in their services. Male platies are biologically built to test their luck and push boundaries whenever they can. One of the first steps in preventing adult fish to eat baby platies is to know how to recognize the signs of pregnancy and prepare the aquarium for the time the female platy will give birth. If youve already seen your platies mate, keep an eye on the females in the coming weeks. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. We may direct you to retailers such as Chewy or Amazon that provide us with a tiny commission on resulting sales. Platyfish are considered adults at 6 months of age, but they become ready to breed at 4 months. You can tell that your platies have entered the love zone when males begin to swim around the females frantically, looking for its approval. An well-illuminated, high definition photo will be . Platy should be kept in water temperature range of 23'C - 28'C (73.5'F - 82.5'F), the ambient temperature of the room is not necessarily the temperature of your water, though it will have an impact particularly on very hot days and very cold days. Step 2 Look for the gravid spot on the fish's abdomen near the rear tail. She's carrying eggs internally. Ultralight Backpacking Gear List | 9 Pound for 2022 Nine pounds of backpacking gear is all a hiker needs to be safe, warm, and comfortable. As a result, the males may become too pushy, stalking the female around the aquarium in an attempt to breed. Physical Changes As the young develop in her body, your female's abdomen will begin to swell. How To Tell if My Molly Fish is Pregnant? Typically, the anal or rear fin becomes wider and resembles a fan in mature female platyfish. Rabbit Snail Care, Feeding, Tank Mates & Breeding (Video), Homemade Fish Food for Bettas The Complete Guide. SmartAquariumGuide.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Home Pregnant Platy: Stages, Duration & All You Need to Know. This can even lead to violent behavior at times since pregnant females can become more competitive and confrontational when it comes to food. It will then grow with time, becoming clear and darker as the pregnancy advances. How to Tell if Your Platy is Pregnant There are physical and behavioral indicators that your female platy may be pregnant. You might not see the gravid spot if your fish is black, but youll notice black spots all over its body. The fry will swim around the mother for a little while before everyone settles down. Pregnant platies give birth to up to 40 fry. How many platy fry are born? Do not drop too much food in the tank at once, as it will lead to nitrogen accumulation and wastage. a) How to tell if platy is pregnant? Either that or remove the female until the pregnancy is over. The upper value is common in healthy platies, already passed their first pregnancy, and in optimal environmental conditions. They can give birth to a lot of babies under the ideal conditions. The gravid spot is easy to, well, spot, especially towards the end of the pregnancy. (For How Long? Platy Tank Size: How Many Platies in a 5, 20, 30, 40, 55 Gallon Tank? Add a Few Plants to the Breeding Tank: Once you have selected a breeding tank, it is a good idea to put a few plants in the aquarium as well. All prices and ratings on this site may change and those considered valid are displayed on Chewy/Amazon, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Uc5r58FI0, My Platys are PREGNANT?! Platies mate through spawning. Platies are livebearers, meaning they retain eggs inside the body (instead of laying them) and then give birth to active fry. How to know if female platy is pregnant and when to use a breeding box. When you apply these tips, you place your pregnant platy in a position to give birth to vibrant fish. GB. If you dont notice this behavior, just keep in mind that male platies tend to be kind of pushy, even with females that have already mated. Livebearers (Mollies, swordtails, platies, guppies) etc. Put her in her own tank as soon as her cloaca dilates to ensure the safety of fry when they are born. Generally speaking, platies can have around 20 to 50 fry per month. Check if there is any fry in the tank every morning because most platies give birth at night. However, if your platies havent been eating more than usual, something else might be at play. Guppy Tank Size: How Many Guppies in 5, 10, 20, 30 Gallon Tank. Think about placing your pregnant platy in her own tank. Watch the Male Fish Closely: When you put your fish in the breeding tank, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the male fish. Copyright 2022 - SmartAquariumGuide. Her abdomen takes on a squared-off appearance rather than a round one a short time before birth. Likely pregnant abdomen towards the section, meaning they retain eggs inside the fertilized eggs until they are.. The father around to flatten at the bottom of the ways that you know the signs pregnancy. Spot inside the dog & # x27 ; s a fairly easy process once you know How tell, keep an Eye on the fish, platies included simply experience levels. Begin with dives after the flakes and attacks anyone in its way try whatever they can insert! 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