Pregnant Platy?

[Sharitoncr18]

So I used to have guppies and they gave birth several times over the course of a few years. This was a couple of years ago. Now my fiance and I have gotten some Platys. We have 5 females and 1 male- originally we wanted all females but oh well. We've had this tank for about 2 months and he thought he saw a fry about 3 weeks ago- but we didn't see any more. Yesterday I thought I saw 1 fry but was gobbled up too quick for me to see (it was feeding time) and noticed my Mickey Mouse Platy has a dark gravid spot- so we separated her for 24hrs and nothing happened. I put her back in the tank because the breeding net thing is small and I didn't want her to die or get too stressed. Now I noticed that my red female is really fat and I swear I saw her stomach move a bit- I never knew this could happen. I don't see a gravid spot on her- but she seems to be moving slower at the bottom but still eating a lot. How do I know when I should separate her to give birth? I attached pics- one of the Red female, the others of the Mickey Mouse. Are they pregnant (Cant really tell with the Red) and when should I separate? Thanks.

[Pamela2Heaven]

I don't separate mine any more - I let them give birth in the tank - but I have a lot of hiding places for fry. She does look pregnant to me.

[Sharitoncr18]

Well I had the Mickey Mouse in the breeding net for almost a day and at feeding time (again) I noticed the Red one giving birth...separated her instead and she has had 2 fry so far- ate one though. I did see the one she gave birth to outside of the breeding net still swimming and hiding- hopefully the little guy will make it. Couldn't scoop him up and I fear that a net would harm him, but I might still try to.

[CameronC]

My Mickey Mouse platy gave birth about 2 weeks ago. I spotted the fry when I was cleaning the tank. I would attempt to scoop up the little guy in a net, just be gentle. When I found my fry that is what I did, then I put him in the plastic breeding compartment I have. He is still doing good. Ive been keeping my eye out for more fry but so far no luck. I think I only managed to save the one.

[Pamela2Heaven]

That is why I leave mine - I always have anywhere from 20 - 50 at a time. There has only been one time that one of my mollies had only 1 baby - that I am aware of. I just think the chances are greater for more fry by leaving them alone and giving them hiding places. I use the little patches of breeding grass plus hornswort is great for hiding - (especially for shrimp)