Brand New Guppies... I Need Help!

[edensilk]

Hi everyone

I received 5 Guppies as a gift from a client (1 pregnant female, 1 male and 3 small "babies"). I have no idea how to take care of these fish.

Right now they are in a large octagonal tank (until Monday when I bring in my spare 10 gallon).

I have noticed that the male won't leave the female alone, he is constantly "investigating" the dark spot on her rear.

I would like to know if I have to separate the male from the rest of the fish (if his goal is to make a snack of the babies) and if there is anything else I would need to know about how to care for my new additions at work.

Thanks

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

In my experience with any livebearers, most of the males will chase any female around but even more so when they are close to giving birth so I would say your male guppy's behavior could be a sign that you will soon have fry in the tank.

I also believe that it is not just the male fish that will harm or gobble up the fry, but both parents are apt to do so. This is why it is better to either remove the fry to another tank or get a small breeders box/net to place in the tank with the fry in it so they are safe and seperated. In most livebearers, the fry grow pretty quickly so in a month or less time, they can be put back into the tank as long as they cannot fit past another fish's lips.