How Much Do You Feed Platy Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Platies are not picky eaters, but they will live a longer and healthier life when given a diverse mix of proteins, vegetables, algae, vitamins, and minerals. How often should platys be fed?

Once a day is fine for adults, whereas two to three small meals a day is preferred for growing juveniles

.

What should I feed my platies?

Platies are omnivores in the wild, and eat

plants, algae, insects and small crustaceans

. This diet should be reproduced as closely as possible in the home aquarium, and that be accomplished through feedings that consist of a high quality flake food and live or frozen foods.

How often should you feed platy fry?

Feed the fry.

Feed the fish small amounts

several times a day

, about as much food as they can eat in three minutes. Some platy owners like to crush or grind pelleted or flaked food before feeding it to fry, as this will make it easier for them to eat.

How long can platy fish go without food?

Platy fish, contrary to popular belief, may survive for

up to two weeks

without food if they are otherwise healthy and well-fed. There isn’t to worry about if you’re only going away for a few days, especially when it comes to feeding.

Are platies good for beginners?

As most other species from the Poeciliidae family,

platies are great fish for both beginners and experienced aquarists

. They are easy to keep and breed and their potential is great.

What temperature do platys like?

Temperatures

between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit

are ideal for platys. Temperature and water fluctuations are tolerated by them, although rapid changes in water parameters should be taken into consideration. Changes like these can be stressful, therefore they should be avoided.

How many platies should be kept together?

You might be cautious of keeping too many if you’re a beginner, but Platies are very easy to care for. A beginner hobbyist could keep

3 to 4 Platies together

. If you’re only keeping Platies in your tank, you can even start with 10 of them.

Can bettas live with platys?


In most cases, it will be fine for your betta to live with platies

. However, the bottom line is that it’s going to depend on your betta and how aggressive they are. If you think that your betta has the right personality then platies can be a great choice.

Are platys cold water fish?

What is this? Though typically found in Freshwater aquariums,

Platy fish can also thrive in coldwater tanks, as long as the water parameters are kept consistent

. Plenty of water changes and a consistent temperature will keep your Platy fish happy.

Do platys have their babies all at once?


The fry are born one at a time, tail first

. While a normal batch is from eight to 20, your female can give birth to as many as 40 fry. The entire process lasts a few hours, but do not be surprised if it goes on for a longer span of time. Your female can give birth to additional fish over the next few days or weeks.

How do you feed a platy fish?

What Do Platy Fish Eat? These undemanding fish are omnivores and will eat virtually anything you put in the tank. Make sure to feed them a wide variety of foods – such as

high-quality flakes, pellets, freeze-dried foods, and frozen foods

– so that they get a complete diet with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

How do you keep platy fry alive?

How do you know when fish are hungry?

  1. Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
  2. Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
  3. Behavior changes (aggression).
  4. Noticeable weight/size changes.
  5. Slow or sluggish behavior.

What do I do if I overfeed my fish?

Cloudy water – This is normally the first sign that a fish tank and the fish inside are being overfed. Cure–

Remove all rotting food and don’t feed your fish for a day or two

. Fish are fine with this and it will not harm them and it’s not cruel.

What size tank do platies need?

Care level Easy Size 2 1⁄2 – 3 inches Lifespan 3 to 5 years Minimum tank size

10 gallons
Tank Setup Freshwater | Heavily planted

Do platies need a heater?

How to keep platyfish indoor?

Platy fish keepers in tropical conditions can skip a heater and no need to worry much about it

. But it is advisable to have a heater in every fish tank similar to keeping a water filter in a tank. So, aquarists in non-tropical conditions should have a heater they can not skip it.

What is the hardest fish to take care of?


Goldfish

are one of the most popular aquarium fish species, but they are pretty hard to properly care for. Neither common goldfish nor fancies can live in a bowl. Commons are mainly pond fish, and fancies need at least around 20 gallons (75L) per fish to thrive.

Do platys like current?


Platy can survive a good current

, but the ones I have seem to thrive better when you can tame it down. Not familiar with the Top Fin 40, so not sure yet how you could tame the output.

Do platys need a bubbler?

As for fancier types of filters such as bed filters and power filters,

Platies don’t need them unless they have tank mates that are producing more waste

.

Why is my platy fish shaking?

Shimmying is a symptom rather than a single disease, and

an indication that a fish no longer has proper control of its nerves and muscles

. It occurs when fish are under severe stress, most often because of environmental problems. The classic scenario is when mollies are kept in soft or acidic water conditions.

How long can platies live out of water?

They can suffocate and die quickly without water (following

three to four minutes

of no gill movement), so it’s important that you don’t take them out unless the new water is ready for their transfer.

How do you catch platy fry?

Is a platy a Molly?

The differences between a Molly and a Platy can be difficult to spot, as they’re both members of the same family of live breeders, and they look very similar. One of the biggest differences in them are physical traits.

Mollies are sleeker than Platies

, and Mollies have a mouth that faces upwards.

Are platies a schooling fish?


Platies are schooling fish

, and they generally thrive in small groups of about five fish. They will do well in most community tanks, and a group will also make a beautiful single-species tank.

Can platies live with neon tetras?


Neon tetras are good tank mates for adult platys

. Since they thrive best in schools, keep at least six tetras or they may die from stress. Get an aquarium at least 20 gallons large to keep both six neon tetras and up to three Platys.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.