Determining the sex of the fry.

[kitty falol]

Hi

I'm sure I read somewhere that the sex of guppy fry isn't dependent on the sperm, but on its tank conditions. Is that right? That there were other determining factors as to whether the fry developed into boys or girls?

My guppies have been breeding now in my planted tank now for 3 and a half months. I don't net them, I just let the fastest guppies survive and I've probably got about 20 odd fry at various stages of growth.

Just doing a quick scan round my tank, I'd say that the girls out number the boys 6:1. Now, not that I've got anything against girls I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to even out the odds a little bit.

Or is this imbalance due to the fact that I keep both sexes together?

Thanks

Kathryn

 

[balloon molly]

actually more females to males is better because male livebearers are such hornballs they stress out the female.so youre in the green as far as ratios go

 

[sylvia]

There are many species, both fish and otherwise, that are affected by temperature in the way you described. I don't think guppies are one of them. Actualy, I think it is more likely that the males, who develop longer, heavier tails, are slower and also smaller so get eaten more readily - with the result being more females. Of course, with livebearers, this is pretty good for you

 

[Da_Oz]

I know in swords the PH can afect the ratio but not sure in gupps.

 

[kitty falol]

Yes, I know that I really should have more females to males, but I don't know if I want 6 times - the boys are just so pretty A 3:1 ratio would be nice. I feel so shallow ) Anyway, I've noticed that the boys all have their favorite guppy, so I don't think it would matter how many girls I had in there, they'd still plump for my one orange tailed guppy - Maybe she's the fishy equivalent to Pamela Anderson.

I doubt that it's the size of the boys' tails slowing them down. Aren't their tails about the same size when they're born? Mine all seem to get eaten in the first few days and after about a week, the adults tend to leave them alone anyway.

 

[NickT]

same with my tank, my 1 month old fry have 2 male and 10 female?!? the 2 week old ones are not quite sexable so im not shure on them yes and teh 5 3week fry are halfblack so theres no telling yet but i think there all female.
i wonder what it is that causes so many females?