How to Breed & Raise Platies for Profit

Platies are freshwater fish found in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. There are over 325,000 known variations. The average size of an adult platy is between 1 and 1/2 inches and 2 and 1/2 inches. The males are typically smaller than the females and develop a modified anal fin called a gondopodium, used for breeding. Platies are live-bearers that produce fully developed fry that have a lifespan of two to three years. The females can store sperm allowing her to have multiple broods from only one insemination. Under the right conditions, it won't take long to produce many fish for selling.

Things You'll Need

  • 15-gallon tank
  • 5-gallon tank
  • Tank thermometer
  • Tank heater
  • Hornwort plants
  • Flake food
  • Brine shrimp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the 15-gallon breeding tank so it is a comfortable environment for the parenting fish.

    • 2

      Place a thermometer in the water and let it float freely for a minimum of two hours before checking, as temperatures may vary. Adjust the heater as necessary to keep the water between 72 and 77 degrees, Fahrenheit.

    • 3

      Place hornwort plants throughout the tank to provide hiding places for the female.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 1 through 3 while setting up the 5-gallon nursery tank.

    • 5

      Wait for the female to be inseminated. The male will approach the female from below and extend his gondopodium. If this is not witnessed, look for her growing belly. In week three of the couple being introduced, remove the female to the nursery. Within a week she should give birth to the fry. Immediately remove the female and place her back in the breeding tank.

    • 6

      Crush flake food into a fine powder and feed the fry. Use the crushed flake food for the first week then introduce them to the brine shrimp. Keep the fry separated from the bigger fish for approximately one month or until they are too big to fit into the mouths of the adult fish.

    • 7

      Keep an eye on the female. She can produce fry multiple times from one insemination. Your new fry will become sexually mature in three to four months, and if kept in a group setting, will reproduce without any help.