Platy fry

[kurtsshotgun]

Hey,

I bought some platys to breed as feeders last week. The female gave birth today, yay for buying pregnant fish.

I'm wondering how long they'll take to grow, what sort of growth rate have people experienced with platy fry?

 

[Neophyte]

With my experience it has taken about 7-8 months or so to reach full size.

 

[kurtsshotgun]

Do they grow quicker for the first cm or anything?

 

[m2cys]

Yes they will grow quickly to a cm

 

[swede]

they seem to plateau in growth for a few months just before they become full size. they seem like they will be juvies forever. then overnight its like theyre full size

 

[smootheye]

It all depends on food & water conditions. Give them lots of huge water changes using the water from your monster fish's' tank.
For lots of great info on raising Livebearers look at this publication from The Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA).
CTSA #128. Tamaru, C.S., B. Cole, R. Bailey, C. Brown and H. Ako. 2002. A Manual for the Commercial Production of the Swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri. 36 pp.
http://www.ctsa.org/publicationDetail.aspx?pID=1033

 

[DojosWithMojo]

My blue Mickey Mouse just had fry 9 days ago and they've easily doubled in size. It's a little strange just seeing tiny eyeballs since they blend right in, but they grow up quick! I remember cleaning out my tank a few months ago and discovered I had a stunning solid orange wag baby just swim at me out of nowhere! HELLO!! Napoleon's now just passed the 3/4" mark and I'm guessing he's 3 months. Hope that helps and good luck with the fry!