Platy Breeding and Care

Question
I'm just wondering if a sunrise Platy and a mickey mouse Platy can mate with each other or will the mickey mouse stick with the other mickey mouse?
<BR> Also, How often should I keep lighting on for the fishes?


Answer
Hi Danny;

Different colors and types of platies all breed with each other. They are all the same fish, just with different colors.

The aquarium lights are actually for us to see the fish and for live plants if you have them. The fish really don't need them. If you have live plants, leave the lights on for 8 hours a day or more. If you get a lot of algae growing just shorten the number of hours the lights are on. You can also cut back if the lights make the water too warm. It happens sometimes.

If the fish seem scared when you turn the lights off or on at first, give them a gentle transition. Instead of going from very light to pitch black (or vice versa) turn on a light in the room where your aquarium is for a few minutes before you switch on the aquarium lights. Do the same at night, leaving  some light still on in the room after you turn out the aquarium light. It gives them a chance to adjust.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins