Platy--Male or female?

RackinRocky

Here is a "Balloon Platy," according to where I bought it, and it looked to be female when I got it, but I've had it for about 3 weeks now, and lately its looking more like a male to me. I can't seem to get a pic with it stil003.jpgl and fins fanned out, as its very quick and rarely still. What do you think?

squishylittlefishies

as with all livebearers, sexing platies is fairly simple. I'm notsure which fish in the picture I am supposed to be looking at, butbif its the little orange one in the back, it looks likea boy. Let me tell you how to tell. The anal fin(below the tail) will be the shape of a perfect triangle if it's a girl. If it is a boy, this fin will be pointed and straight, running almost parallel with the body. males also have the ability to flip this fin forward, and you will probably see him do that every now and then. hope that helped! you have a beautiful fish!

fish monger

Yes, it's a male. I had that happen once also. I wasn't paying attention and they were so fat that they looked to be females at a quick glance.

jsagrav

I bought 3 "female" black mollies at PetSmart. I looked at them in the store, and watched them for weeks at home. Then suddenly I had a new male in the tank. Does this happen often? What I'm saying is, one appeared to have changed sex.

RackinRocky

Thanks guys. Yes, its the orange one. The other two are bettas. I feared he was a male. Well, if he harrasses my female platies and mollies, I guess he'll have to go back so I can get a female. I have an all female tank, except for my Bolivian Ram! Again, thanks.