Emergency...help! Surprise Guppy Birth To Beginner..

[Jus]

I've had my tank set up about 4 weeks. I got two guppies about 2 weeks ago.

Tank 60x30x38cm. Undergravel filter. Heavily planted tank..various real plants.

7 Neon Tetras, 2 Rainbox guppies, paid of Gourami, 3 Cory Julii.

I said to the mrs this morning...humm..looks like one of them is pregnant....to which the mrs replied...nah...you've just been feeding it too much

Today (for a fathers day treat) I decided to go and get a fish book and thought I'd buy a breeding trap just in case...the mrs thought I was just wasting more money ...the mrs convinced me a net would be better as it was larger than the trap...and I went with it as she knows a little more about being preggers than me

Came back home and logged on to search here for more info to prepare for the birth when the mrs shouted up to me that she saw little bits coming out of the guppy and the other fish gleefully munching on whatever was coming out. So in a rush I erected the net and put the mummy in the net...still in the aquarium with the others.

Is there anything else I should be doing? I can't get to the shops now as by the time I'll get there they would be closed. The only food I have is TetraMin flake, shrimp in brine, bloodworm and daphnia. I don't have a spare tank to separate them.

Panic panic...any advice very much welcome

 

[AmberMc]

Congrats! Good thing you caught her in time! Remember to remove her from the net as soon as she is done birthing, because she will eat the young, and also give the young something to hide in in the net while she's still in there. The fry will eat pretty much anything small enough, I've fed mine on really finely crushed flakes before.

 

[Jus]

Congrats! Good thing you caught her in time! Remember to remove her from the net as soon as she is done birthing, because she will eat the young, and also give the young something to hide in in the net while she's still in there. The fry will eat pretty much anything small enough, I've fed mine on really finely crushed flakes before.

Thanks for the quick reply

Remove her...will do. How long will birthing take? She does seem to have stopped now I've moved her...probably the trauma of being in the net..Something to put in for them to hide behind...I'm being slightly dim here...I don't have any floating plants...should I pull off some leaves and stick them in there?

Soo...exciting

 

[AmberMc]

The length of time it will take depends on the female, and how many fry she is carrying. It's also hard to tell how she'll react to being netted, she could stop birthing temporarily, or she could be done having fry altogether. Anything that you can provide them to hide in will be a benefit, I normally use plastic plants as they are easier. Good luck!

 

[Jus]

Thanks again...I've cut off a few branches of fern type stuff (from a plant in the aquarium) and put it in the net...

I can't see any babies and the mothers stomach is a lot lot smaller than before...fingers crossed she's got some more to come and they haven't all been eaten.

 

[haleystropicalfish]

Congrats! looks like you have things under control here.

 

[lilfishie]

turn the aquarium lights off if you haven't already then wait patiently and try not to peek

 

[Jus]

turn the aquarium lights off if you haven't already then wait patiently and try not to peek

I'm keen not to leave the mother in the net longer than I have to. It's been 2hrs now and nothing...the mother is still a little fatter than the dad but no where near as fat as she was this morning. Stomach isn't really pushed out. Do you think it's all over or do you think theres still chance of me getting some babies out?

what a shame so near....damn greedy Gourami.

 

[rabbitsrus2oo6]

turn the aquarium lights off if you haven't already then wait patiently and try not to peek

I'm keen not to leave the mother in the net longer than I have to. It's been 2hrs now and nothing...the mother is still a little fatter than the dad but no where near as fat as she was this morning. Stomach isn't really pushed out. Do you think it's all over or do you think theres still chance of me getting some babies out?

what a shame so near....damn greedy Gourami.

It is possible that she may have more however due to your description i would say perhaps she wont have anymore just yet, even if she doesnt dont fear! it is likely she will have more in around 4 weeks as live bearers are almost continually pregnant as they store sperm in the lining of their womb so no worries! just keep an eye out and the lights off

xxxx

 

[Bert]

When I had a suprise guppy fry I just crushed flakes up REALLY fine and feed them those. They seemed to eat them all.

 

[Jus]

It is possible that she may have more however due to your description i would say perhaps she wont have anymore just yet, even if she doesnt dont fear! it is likely she will have more in around 4 weeks as live bearers are almost continually pregnant as they store sperm in the lining of their womb so no worries! just keep an eye out and the lights off

xxxx

Thanks. Wow! Cuts down on the fun for the boy fish ....but keeps me excited.... At least I know what to look out for now I'll keep the lights off and my fingers crossed.

What a wonderful hobby

 

[lilfishie]

if no more then be sure to remember the date because as said she will have more in 4 weeks time, so be prepared

meybe leave her in there lights off until tomorrow morning and if she has any left she should of had them by then

 

[Jus]

if no more then be sure to remember the date because as said she will have more in 4 weeks time, so be prepared

meybe leave her in there lights off until tomorrow morning and if she has any left she should of had them by then

Very much appreciate the advice. Thanks.....and I will do that.

 

[rabbitsrus2oo6]

if no more then be sure to remember the date because as said she will have more in 4 weeks time, so be prepared

meybe leave her in there lights off until tomorrow morning and if she has any left she should of had them by then

Very much appreciate the advice. Thanks.....and I will do that.

A key sign to look out for is her stomach going sort of square if thats any help?? they normally give birth near to that time. also watch for her anal passage opening, if its greeny / brown its poo if its clear or white its a sure sign she is about to pop! Also they can poo short amounts in quick succession near to giving birth as the mother will tend to cleanse herself before hand! just a few more things to watch out for Good luck!

xx xx

 

[Jus]

Yes thanks. I know exactly what you mean.

Unfortunately no fry survived...but next time I'm hopeful