Releasing Fry?

[Jeffreybomb]

We woke up to five new fish members in our tank two days ago. I've got them in their little "nursery," for lack of a better word. They already appear to be larger than they were a few days ago.

When is it safe to release them into the general population of the main tank?

[Severus]

What kind of fry are they. I released my guppies when they were generally large enough not to be thought of as food. It may take a few weeks.

[Willyleigh]

I think that the rule is that you release them when they are big enough not to fit into the other fishes mouths.

[Jeffreybomb]

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I believe they're called "sunrise platies."

[Chrona]

And if you have angelfish, keep in mind that they can open their mouths REALLY wide.

[bettaboy691]

i would give it a few more weeks yet, just to be on the safe side

[Lady Hobbs]

Let them grow up a bit. I don't know what else you have in the tank but others will think of them as food. Congrats on your birthing.

[fishbiz]

I was told 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch is good, depending on what else is in you tank...

[Severus]

Yea i would say no smaller than 3/4 of an inch, just too be on the safe side. You dont want all your hard work raising them going to nothing if they get eaten..

[kimmers318]

Be prepared, platy seem to take forever to grow. It is usually around 4 months we can sex our little guys, and they are okay in the tank around 5-6 months....except for the oscar tank that is:hmm3grin2orange:

[Severus]

Yea, i have heard platys seem to grow a lot slower. My guppies took about a month and a half and they were ready to be released. Good luck with them

[bettaboy691]

my platies have been in the breeding net for a month now, and not that big, very slow growers out or the livebearers. try feeding brineshrimp and chopped bloodworms as ive heard that makes them grow faster, thats what im doing.

[Chrona]

Also the professional breeders swear by frequent, large water changes, as it is said to reduce the growth inhibiting chemicals given off by the fish.

[Severus]

Also the professional breeders swear by frequent, large water changes, as it is said to reduce the growth inhibiting chemicals given off by the fish.

I can see that being true. I was reading an article awhile back about growth hormones/chemicals and it was very interesting

[jweintraub]

I've had my platty fry in the nursery for about a month now, my largest is about 1/2" and I'm still waiting to release. Like Severus said you don't want the hard work going to waste!