Do platy fish lay eggs?

No, platy fish don’t lay eggs. As livebearers, platy fish give birth to live young instead.

As with other fish, platy fish do produce eggs. However, they don’t make a nest or lay eggs inside the tank. Instead, female platy fish carry the eggs in their bellies until they hatch. Then, they release the fry, which are capable of swimming and fending off for themselves as soon as they are born.

Depending on their experience, platy fish usually give birth to between 20 to 80 juveniles. Experienced mothers typically give birth to more babies compared to first-time mothers.

Additionally, platy fish can store their mate’s sperm, so they can fertilize their eggs again immediately after giving birth. As a result, platy fish can give birth as often as once a month.