Baby mickey mouse platy's

[actiondave13]

I have 12 baby platy's that are two months old now...getting big and they seem to be happy, hungry all the time. They are currently in a 10 gal and I've read that 4-6 are ok too keep in a 10 gal. How long until they will overcrowd each other? I have a 30 gal w/ other platy's, tiger barbs, and a purple chiclid but I don't want to put them in there too soon and have the chiclid eat them. Thanks

 

[paperdog9]

well, you are probably fine until they arer full grown or close to it, so I would just wait until they are big enough to not fit in the chilid's mouth, than transfer a few to the 30. I don't have much experience, but I hope I helped!!!!!!

 

[DarkLies]

Now, I don't know if my cichlids are just weird, but they don't usually mess with whatever small fish I put into their tank...? I would say test it with 2 at first and closely watch them...that's what I did with my male guppies in there....except the catfish ate them instead... -.-
Sorry if that wasn't much help =]

 

[ValRasbora]

look at the cichlid's mouth- if the babies are too big to fit, try it. If the babies are too small and they would easily be gulped down- don't. If you're not sure- you could A.) try it with a few fish or B.) wait.

 

[actiondave13]

Thanks all...I tried putting one of them in my 6gal w/ my betta and he was able to eat him so i'll wait...they should be ok till they r close to full grown. What a cool experience for a new hobbist...can you say MTS..now time to see if i can interbreed my swordtail w/ on of the platys

 

[Newman]

lol ya apparently just cuz a fry is bigger than the mouth of a fish, it can still be attacked and ripped to shreds. One of my betta females succeeded in attacking a 3/4" swordtail fry and attempted to swallow him alive...obvious failure because the body of the fry was 2x the size of the mouth lol.

 

[actiondave13]

I feel ya Newman...an aggresive fish..my chiclid is semi-aggresive but ive fed him worms before as big as the fry and he will carry them around w/ him until he decides to eat. Think I'll let the fry grow up before putting them w/ anything decent size

 

[Newman]

i think we should all agree that predators should not be around some forms of fry. Raising fry in their own tank is safest.

 

[actiondave13]

Yes they are happy in their own environment..I'm keeping a 10gal dedicated to a nursery*SUPERSMIL

 

[Newman]

I do that too! For my swordtails, and maybe soon for my betta fry my 10 gal is planted tho...looks a tad diff from yours lol.