My mickey mouse platy...

Question

looks gravid (pregnant) and i was wondering how long are they gravid and how i can tell when they are getting ready to give birth. and is it true when some people say the little egg looking thing sticking from there but that they are getting ready to give birth?

Answer 1

The normal gestation period is 28 days. There's usually about 10 fry. When she is ready to give birth, you will notice that she looks a bit thinner. Something will kind of be hanging out at the bottom, so start looking for that. So yes, it is true that when a platy is ready to give birth her fry will looking like they're sticking out under her. I suggest that when she is giving birth to just turn off her light and leave her be for a while. It will help her to not be stressed out so much. She will probably go to the bottom of the tank to start dropping them out. Make sure to cover your filter with something so that the fry can't get sucked into it!

Good luck :)