I am still waiting for my momma platy (tropical fish) to pop. She had babies about a month ago (or somebody did anyway…) but none survived. She’s big as fish houses now and you can see through her enough to make out the eyes of all the little baby fishies, which is a bit gross if I think about it — so I don’t. There has been crazy plant growth since the last batch of fry (baby fishes) and I’m hoping that the little ones will have more cover this go-round.
I bought a fish breeder box but the directions say not to leave her in the box for more than a couple days, and there seems to be no way to tell when she’s going to have the kids until she’s having them. 🙁 In any case, I’ll try to get some pix of the fry if I can before they all get eaten. (Isn’t it kinda ironic that all fry are eaten raw? Stupid fish don’t even know how good they taste fried…)
Update! I have baby fishes! I managed to net a few and stick ’em in the breeder box, but there are still lots in the aquarium proper, hiding amongst the plants and rocks. Though I have seen a few near-misses I haven’t actually witnessed anyone eat their own young yet, and luckily the neons don’t seem all that interested.
Congratulations…, your carniverous fish might enjoy my mosquito prevention technique: I put out small jars of water in the side yard and check regularly for mosquito larvae. Upon discovery they get dumped into the aquarium, gives the fish some excitement.
@Lyle That’s a great idea!
Just be careful. When I was a kid, eight-ish, I caught a whole bunch of larvae to watch them metamorphos into their adult forms. They all hatched in the night and fit through the window screen I had put over the jar. They bit my EYEBALLS. Just make sure you don’t put too many in for the fishes to eat.
LOL! Good point, Jody! 😆
@Jody Okay. Maybe LESS of a good idea. LOL.