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okay, so i've determined that my platy is pretty pregnant. . .She's been bulging for around 3 - 3 1/2 weeks now. . . and i have but her into a breeder net and upper the temp. from a constant 78 deg., to more like 80 - 82 deg. The net has cover in it to hopefully soothe her nerves. . . I read in an article though that she should have a dark spot somewhere around her anal fin when she's going to drop the fry. I've never seen her with one and the 10 gal tank is populated, so i don't want to have her drop in the tank for fear of the fry being lunch like she's done a few times in the past. . .

I'm wondering if a breeder net is best or not, the tank has good circulation and water conditions. . .would a breeder chamber with the v shaped insert be better, or will the net be alright. Also is there anything i'm missing (besides the fry )?

Thanx a lot

Hi

I don't have too much experience, but currently I do have 3 little breeding traps lined up in the front of my community tank, each containing different age fry (some platy, some mollie). I've been told that the platy will eat her own fry, so the disadvantage of the breeding net is that she is with them & could eat them, unless you're at home to move her out asap after she gives birth. 2 of my breeding traps are filled with fry that I was able to catch in the tank, before they were eaten. The other, I put the mum into a breeding trap when I knew she'd already been pregnant for about 4 weeks. I was lucky that she dropped the next day, so I didn't have to keep her there long.

I don't know anything about the dark spot somewhere around her anal fin when she's going to drop the fry, so hopefully, somebody else can give further info on that. I've read about a gravid spot indicating they are in breeding condition though.

Also, I did not raise the temperature to speed birthing, so again someone else can probably give advice on that.

Good luck with your fry.

Cheers
TW