HELP I want some of my platy fry to survive!!

Question
The tank was set up on january first of this year and it is a 20 gallon tank. I have 3 zebra danios 3 Mickey mouse platies and 3 high fin Mixed platies. You can tell I like platies alot.I have never been able get the fry to be very old my femalemickey mouse platies are going to have babies soon. I have heard breeder nets are not the best route to go because the mothers get stressed and will end up eating there fry.There are lots of hiding places for the babies but I think my zebra danios eat the fry.I have a gallon tank and breeder net. What do you think I could do besides letting all the fry get eaten in my twenty gallon tank.Should I set up the 1 gallon tank and how orshould I put her in the breeder net. The gallon tank does not have a heater so would she be ok.How do I know they are ready to have there babies. Lately one of them has been hiding a decoration in the tank with the male is this a sign she will have her babies. I am confused and need your help.

Answer
Hi Alyssa;

Poor little fellas. All the fish (including the parents) will eat the babies so they are in danger even in a breeding net. A separate tank with hiding places is best for the mother to have the babies in and then remove her when she is done. But, the one gallon would not be good unless it has a heater. What you might consider is getting a 5 to 10 gallon with a heater and a sponge filter. Sponge filters operate by air pump but don't suck up babies like other filters do. Don't put any gravel in your baby tank. It is easier to see waste and the babies get lost in it anyway. If you can't get a bigger tank then add some long tall bushy plants to the tank. Artificial are fine, but live is better.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins