Baby Fish, swordtail living in gravel ?

Question

My swordtail had babies the other day and I see them shoving their way thew my gravel. If I was to clean my gravel I'd pull them up too!... Not sure if they can live that way but it seems they are fine, Stuck kind of but fine. Can they live like that? And how long til I clean my gravel?

I have a 20 gallon tank.

Answer 1

They are hiding from big fishes so that they don't get eaten. my mickey mouse platy before hides under those little pebbles.