Danios And Birth

[coyemuse]

So I just got 9 pearl danios about a week ago. An Ive noticed one looks a lot like my swords do before they have fry. my question is, with a egg layer whats the difference, and How will I know when shes ready?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

You can tell if its female or male by the size, females are usually bigger and fatter than males, who are thin. 
When the female is ready, you will see her get very large. I'm not sure if they have a gonopodium but I think a gonopodium is only on livebearers 

Unless you have a separate breeding tank, it is unlikely that the eggs will survive as they will get eaten.

 

[coyemuse]

okies... i do have a separate tank... but it currently has guppies in it

 

[Blondielovesfish]

The Guppies will (possibly) eat the eggs. It would be best if you were to get a separate tank for breeding and line the bottom with marbles and add a few floating plants. Remove the adults as soon as all the eggs have been layed and fertilized. The marbles shouldn't let the parents eat the eggs, however some will likely still get eaten. 
Be prepared for multiple spawns and if you don't want some then just leave them in the main tank to let them eat the eggs.

 

[the_lock_man]

First, if you do try to raise the fry, what are you going to do with them when they mature? Might  it be better to let any eggs get eaten? I had zebra danios at one point, several times I watched them spawn, never did I see a surviving fry.
 
Secondly, males do not have a gonopodium, since they have no need for one. The gonopodium is what is used to deliver sperm into the female, whereas danios fertilise their eggs externally.