Gravid Spot On My Platy

Question
Hello again Chris,

I have a small question about my smaller female platy. He's only about a inch in length, but seems to be pregnant. I've been reading about the gravid spot, and I think she has it, it's in the right place, but only, it's not a dark brown or black color, it's a dark orange. She's pretty see through, and is a lighter color of orange herself (same as her mate) I look at the spot, and it has black specks in it. Now the kind of platy they are have black on the top and bottom part of there tails. Not sure if it would show up on the babies yet or not, but she seems to be getting a bit "round" in the middle when you look at her head-on. Do you think she's pregnant? And if so since the spot isn't dark brown or black is it early in the pregnancy or do you think it's that color because of the color she and her mate are? One other thing that is bothering me about this is, I'm deployment in a month, and I want to make sure she has her babies before I leave so I can save them from the other fish in the tank, because I know the person who will take care of them for me while I'm gone wont do anything and just let the other fish eat the babies. If she is in the early stages of pregnancy will she give birth before I leave? Thank you for all your help!

Answer
Hi Stephanie;

Deployed in the military? Awesome! Thank you so much for your service.  Your job is very important.....

Anyway, the color of the gravid spot is what color the babies will be. It looks like they will be a light color with little black eyes. Since you are seeing them developing, I'm pretty certain they will be born before you leave. Probably in a couple of weeks or less. If you raise the tank temperature to 78f (if it isn't already) they will develop faster, just do it slowly. Slightly turn the aquarium heater up to raise it only one degree a day or so until you reach the goal. Stay at home after you turn the heater up to be sure it shuts off when it's supposed to and doesn't overheat. Have fun!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins