Beginner Guppy Breeder Questions

[Lyra0727]

Those darn cats!

I try to feed the mother guppy right as or just after she gives birth because they're really hungry at that time and those babies are right in front of her, so *munch* is usually what happens if I DON'T feed then. But if you have plenty of cover for the fry and feed mom right away they should survive well. I've just felt that it's more stressful to keep moving them from place to place than to keep them all together.

I HAVE moved my females and males to separate tanks, however. Just too many babies ....

Well if the fry stay in the plants they should be fine.. but if they go to the top they might be in danger until tomorrow(if the mother gave birth tonight) I feed them twice a day once in the morning and once at night. One time with the bloodworms and the other with the tetra pellets.

What does the "tube" look like exactly? Ive stared at my female guppy for a good 10 minutes now and Ive noticed a small lump I guess you can call it under her bottom fin but its only noticable at specific angles. My male keeps trying to nip down there once in a while though.. if that lump is the tube I was suppose to be looking for could he be harming her by doing that?


I think hes mad because he might not be the father.. <_<

 

[This Old Spouse]

If she's that close to giving birth, it's probably too late to do this, but I got myself some floating plants, hornwort to be exact, and the babies did fine there.

 

[Lyra0727]

If she's that close to giving birth, it's probably too late to do this, but I got myself some floating plants, hornwort to be exact, and the babies did fine there.

Yeah I was going to get some of that last weekend but my lfs employee said that it would be pointless because the lighting in my tank wouldnt be good enough to keep it alive.. So it would really be wasteing money. Thats why Ive been sticking with fake plants because at least then I know they will stay for the next guppy that gives birth.

I'm not sure when shes going to give birth though, I have no idea if what I'm seeing is the tube.. it sure is fustraiting not knowing what I'm looking for.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It's really an inexpensive plant, and even with my poor lighting it just grows and grows. I have to keep trimming it so it doesn't take over the tank! I can't imagine the lighting in your tank is worse than mine ...?

 

[Lyra0727]

It's really an inexpensive plant, and even with my poor lighting it just grows and grows. I have to keep trimming it so it doesn't take over the tank! I can't imagine the lighting in your tank is worse than mine ...?

Hmm maybe I should start questioning the knowledge of the employees at my lfs.. it wouldnt be the first time they were wrong about something. What I have right now are aquarium plant growth bulbs, 15 wats for a 10 gallon tank. (I was trying to use thoes plant seeds they sell to grow in the tank.. It's only been in for a week so I havent been able to tell if its really working or not)

Their basically 3 dallor bulbs from walmart

 

[This Old Spouse]

What, a LFS employee ... WRONG??? *gasp*

Sorry.

Yes, you've got about the same setup I do on two of my guppy tanks. I've got the stuff growing there too, and funny, it seems to be doing quite well!

And as for those plant bulbs, I fell for those too. The littler ones did just fine, actually, but the bigger ones just ended up rotting. You honestly have to give them a solid 30 days or so before they start growing. But if they show any signs of getting moldy, toss them! In fact, they DO guarantee that they'll grow, and will send you replacements at no charge if they don't sprout.

 

[Lyra0727]

What, a LFS employee ... WRONG??? *gasp*

Sorry.

Yes, you've got about the same setup I do on two of my guppy tanks. I've got the stuff growing there too, and funny, it seems to be doing quite well!

And as for those plant bulbs, I fell for those too. The littler ones did just fine, actually, but the bigger ones just ended up rotting. You honestly have to give them a solid 30 days or so before they start growing. But if they show any signs of getting moldy, toss them! In fact, they DO guarantee that they'll grow, and will send you replacements at no charge if they don't sprout.

Well then if its working for you and you have the same thing I'll give it a try! I go to the store tomorrow so hopefully it wont be to late. If it is... well I have 4 other guppies that are pregnant just not as far as the one Ive been concerned about. Although I could have sworn that one gave birth because I saw one little fry near the plants but 2 days later I havent seen him since.. and all 4 guppies look pregnant again.

It doesnt make sense.. But I guess my male could have gotten who ever gave birth pregnant again.. hmmmm so much confusion!

 

[This Old Spouse]

Females only have to be fertilized once and then can give birth every month or so several times over. So unless you're into breeding and selling them, you're going to have lots of little babies around!

 

[Lyra0727]

Females only have to be fertilized once and then can give birth every month or so several times over. So unless you're into breeding and selling them, you're going to have lots of little babies around!

Oh wow! I guess I'll be having a lot then haha. This will be exciting!

Quick question about the floating plants. Do you need to do anything special to keep them alive? Like have their roots in something or put something in the water for them?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'm almost embarrassed to say that I don't do a thing for the hornwort except trim it now and again. I notice that the older parts of the plants will start to get a bit dull, so I just pinch off the duller parts and the bright green parts flourish. In my 55g tank, just today I banded a couple of bunches together and secured them in the gravel, but I don't have any fry to worry about. Here's what it looks like nicely bundled. My camera isn't fond of dark conditions, but you can see what the plants look like on the far left and the tallest ones on the right.

 

[Lyra0727]

I'm almost embarrassed to say that I don't do a thing for the hornwort except trim it now and again. I notice that the older parts of the plants will start to get a bit dull, so I just pinch off the duller parts and the bright green parts flourish. In my 55g tank, just today I banded a couple of bunches together and secured them in the gravel, but I don't have any fry to worry about. Here's what it looks like nicely bundled. My camera isn't fond of dark conditions, but you can see what the plants look like on the far left and the tallest ones on the right.

Wow that is a beautiful tank! The plants looks to pretty in there too. Since I would need them to float I wont have them in the gravel.. I'll just have to get a bunch to cover part of the top Thanks so much!

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thanks ... the hornwort in my two 10g tanks is just floating on top for the guppy fry and it does just as well.

 

[Lyra0727]

I plan to get it tomorrow
My lfs should be thanking you because you have convinced me to give it a try! If it grows as much as you have been saying I may even put some in my 60 gallon.

I have two females that are the same size.. due any day im thinking anyway. Hopefully they can wait until tomorrow night!

 

[OldMan47]

Hornwort can be a bit of a challenge to keep healthy. I have had varying success with it over the years and lately have avoided it. It is great fry cover as long at it is healthy but can give the tank bottom a look like a christmas tree exploded in there if it is not doing well. Instead, these days I am using java moss as cover for livebearer fry. The cover is just as effective but the stuff is not at all picky and will survive in high or low light with or without any fertilizers. I just got a few new pictures of some of mine so here we go.
A clump in my A caucatoides tank

The edge of another clump in my X. captivus, green goodeid, tank

 

[Lyra0727]

I'll keep that in mind, so far it seems the hortwort is doing pretty good. But I've only had it since last wednesday so I guess its a bit hard to say if its really going to continue staying healthy or not.