[Brandon]

Does any one know how many platys would be ok for a 15 gallon?

I might be getting some for free.

 

[tom14]

i would get 6-8 platies . i would stick to just male so there arent any babies and if you had females your tank would quickly overstock. unless you have somewhere for the fry to go to?

 

[Brandon]

I might have somewhere for fry to go but i wouldn't now what to do with em.

How do i know which are males?

 

[Lupin]

Males have a pointed fin near their anus which is actually a gonopodium. Females have a triangular-shaped fin.

 

[Brandon]

Good to know thanks.

Also would it hurt them to go from a huge tank with live plants and light.

To a small tank with no light and fake plants?

 

[Trishfish]

How small is small? They grow to about 2" each so allow for the 1" per gallon rule. Does the tank have indirect light? I've read that fish really only need enough light to see their food. I don't turn the light on until I'm home from work so they get about four hours of tank light. My platies are quite happy with fake plants (though I do keep java and riccia moss). Though relatively new to fish, I'm a believer in the smaller the tank the more hiding places you need to get away from any bullies.

 

[tom14]

i'm guessing the small tank you are talking about is the 15g? no, it doesn't hurt them if they get moved into a smaller tank and they will be ok. just don't put them in all at one because your tank has to cycle. you should either do a fishless cycle or only put in one or two platies and dont add anymore for a month or until the tank has cycled.

plastic is good but real is better. plants give the tank oxygen and use nitrate and ammonia for growth. however, with real plant you need some light so maybe not.

is the tank going to be near a source of light because you will need to have some light on the fish for atleast a biot of the day. to make day and night for them and so they can see the food and so on...


i hope this all helps. im quite new too, but it is quite easy to lear and you have this forum to fall back on if you have a problem!!! lol