Help end a family feud! Is she pregnant? (Money on this)

[RobGoldsmith]

So my brother and I have been arguing on whether this fish is pregnant. He says she is, I say no.

She gave birth to five fry on the 29th of November (4 weeks ago ish) and is in with one male. I cant see any spots around her fin and tbh she has always been fat! Can you tell from these pics? I find it hard to work out if their belly has dropped though.

lol @ the Ram, best fish in the world! The face cracks me up hahahaha

I guess it leads me to the question, if she isnt pregnant, why not!? lol

Thanks
Rob

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I say.........YES! I have a Platy that dropped fish 3X with NO MALE IN THE TANK! (He was moved to another tank) in about 2 months.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

I hear they can carry sperm for like 9 months! Hope these ones survive!

 

[ValRasbora]

They can store sperm for like 4 broods. Probably yes.
Some people say "platies are born pregnant!"

 

[aakaakaak]

Sorry Rob. You just lost money. She's pregnant. Not only is she enlarged in the belly, she's showing about a 1/4 inch gravid spot. Enjoy your babies.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

did start to wonder, she is being chased from end to end by a male guppy and a male platty now, happening all the time.

Here are latest images

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Guys
Any ideas how far away I am? This fish is starting to look like it has a square belly!

 

[jamiejay09]

Wow, the bolivian ram is a definate poser! beautiful colour. And yes i know im late but shes deffinately pregnant it could be any day now looking at that picture!

 

[aakaakaak]

Keep an eye on behavior change. Some do, some don't change behavior. It should tell you when she's getting close to labor.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Thanks, will keep looking

And as for the ram, I know everyone must say it but I have looked in many shops and none of then compare to him. Most shop keepers here don't appreciate that they can be so bright and colourful. He even follows me from end to end of the tank around feeding time!

Rob

 

[RobGoldsmith]

I have a baby!!!!!
I dont know what to do with it
last time the fish pecked at it through the fry enclosure, it died!
I have no other tank ready
Do i let it fend for itself?
How old until it is too big to be eaten?

Help

 

[Thyra]

I have had a fair survival rate by having floating plastic plants and then some plastic grass mats on the bottom of the tank. I have no idea how many fry I lose, but there seems to be a continuous supply and when they get to be about 1/2 inch they start venturing farther and farther out. It will depend on the size of your rams and gourami as to when the fry are safe. I assume female Siamese Fighters are bettas and I can't tell you about their action except I suppose they are faster than the males.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Ok so i have put the baby in a fish bag and made a series of small holes across it, they are very small so i know he wont get out... only worry is that water wont get through it!

Any thoughts?

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

Provide a lot of cover in the big tank-plants, rocks, anything for it to hide in.
Do you have another filter for a tank? You could tank filter media out of the big tank and add it to the filter in a smaller tank for an instant cycle!

 

[RobGoldsmith]

Yeah i have another tank, last time i did it though the fish died and i dont know why. Made me a bit ancious about moving them out. I have put an air stone in the bag now. Do you think the fish will be ok without a filter in the bag?

 

[OrangeCones]

Not for very long, sadly.

If by a 'fry enclosure' you mean one of those breeding nets, you can put a thin layer of gravel in the bottom. It will prevent the adult fish from eating them through the net. The fry will learn to stay away from the sides, but at a young age, can't swim constanly as they do not have fully developed swim bladders. They need to fall to the bottom to rest.

 

[RobGoldsmith]

3 now in a bag with pin holes. 2 in the tank last night but dont see them now!

Hope this works! it has an air stone in adnd crushed food, i used 1 flake hope this is ok

 

[Violet]

Orangecones has a good idea there with the gravel. I've had many fry before (many, many.... many) I seem to have had good luck with them, but I'll try to remember that with any more if my fish breed again. Have you added that idea in the breeding forum somewhere? It's a good tip.