Platy Dalmation Bundarra Tropical Fish Farm

Male and female Platies are easy to distinguish. Males have a modified anal fin, this is called the gonopodium. This is the male sexual organ. Males can grow up to 6cm while females can get to 6-7cm.

Platies are livebearers and are extremely easy to breed. The females are almost always pregnant and will give birth to live fish every 4 to 6 weeks. Often the mother will have between 20-70 fry.

Because these fish are avid breeders, it is recommended that at least 2-3 females should be kept to each male, so the females aren’t continually harassed. Also for the same reason, a tank housing both male and female platies would ideally contain plants so the females can hide from keen males.

If you wish to breed the Platy it is recommended that a separate breeding tank be set up to separate the mother from the community tank, taking at least half of the existing community tank water. If the mother is not separated and is allowed to give birth in the community tank, more than likely the fry will not survive as the other fish (even including the mother) will eat them.

Often birthing can be induced by raising the water temperature to 28C. After the birthing has finished, usually after 1 to 3 hours, the mother should be removed and returned to the community tank.

Raising the fry is reasonable simple. They should be feed on liquid fry food for the first three days. They can then be moved onto baby brine shrimp or fine crushed flake food. Water changes are needed regularly, even daily as the fragile fry are very susceptible to water pollution.