Encouraging Guppy Fry

[snoozysusie]

Hello! I used to have lots of guppy fry all the time. So much so I used to take them back to the fish store in exchange for other fish.
However, recently I have had lots of fish die/disappear mysteriously. I think I've now discovered why - I have a red tailed black shark who has been v aggresive and chasing fish. My plec disappeared and having read other posts on here, I see RTBS can attack plecs so that explains that one.Also I didnt know they became aggresive and got quite large in size. I am taking him back to the fish shop tomorrow.
Anyway.... can you please advise as to how I can encourage my guppies to have babies!! It's a 15gal tank and I have done all the water tests (nitrite/nitrate/ammonia/water hardness). All came out 'ideal'. I think things will be better after taking the RTBS back as having looked into it... Im 99% sure he is the root of the recent deaths and disappearances. It is a well stocked aquarium with live plants.
I have a cave which the pearl gourami likes to hang out in. Should I get another hide out for other fish?? Also how do you know the difference between the male and female guppies?? Ive heard you should have more females to male guppies is that right??
Finally - are there any plecs that remain quite small?? or another algae eater that is small I could get??
THANKS!!

 

[kribensis12]

By the wya your stockiong is, you might not want to have babies after all. RTBS are too big for a 15 gallon to start off with. If you want sometihng to clena the gravel for, get some corries. But as far as algea goes, your screwed. I have yet to find a algea eating fish that does what is promised after 5 inch's in length. Also, if you want baby guppies, i would get rid of this: RTBS, Danio's, Penguin Tetra, Red Tetra, and and probably the gourami. Your tank is way over stocked. Plus, most fry that the guppies have will survive. The rule of thumb for non cichlid's is 1 inch per gallon. So, just think, 1 mom guppy, 1 batch of babies a month. 20-40 on average babies a month. 20 make it to maturity. You already over stocked after 1 batch. I woul look into a bigger tnak. Also, this is better suited in the Livebearer area.

 

[snoozysusie]

By the wya your stockiong is, you might not want to have babies after all. RTBS are too big for a 15 gallon to start off with. If you want sometihng to clena the gravel for, get some corries. But as far as algea goes, your screwed. I have yet to find a algea eating fish that does what is promised after 5 inch's in length. Also, if you want baby guppies, i would get rid of this: RTBS, Danio's, Penguin Tetra, Red Tetra, and and probably the gourami. Your tank is way over stocked. Plus, most fry that the guppies have will survive. The rule of thumb for non cichlid's is 1 inch per gallon. So, just think, 1 mom guppy, 1 batch of babies a month. 20-40 on average babies a month. 20 make it to maturity. You already over stocked after 1 batch. I woul look into a bigger tnak. Also, this is better suited in the Livebearer area.

Sorry I didn't think to put it in another section as Im quite new to the site and have not posted much.
Thanks for the advice. The shark is going back tomorrow. Ive never had corries before-what do I need to know about them ?? Also I just feed them on flakes - should I vary with something else ? I have had an established tank for about 4years but its only been in the last few months when fish have started dying.
. I will see about taking back the penguin, danios and red tetra. I would really love to hang on to the gourami if at all poss. How big do they get ??
Would be great if I could get fry again. The store let me trade for the fry for plants etc and I love seeing the new babies in the tank too ! so everyone is winner. I will take it on board about being overstocked.

 

[kribensis12]

You could have the gourami, but it will no doubt eat the fry. Corries like warm water( like 80-82 if poss) , and they NEED to be in school's of like 4 at the minnimum. Male Guppies are Very Pretty and Vibrant, but most female's are very dull. Her is a pic of a lovely male: http/www.onset.unsw.edu.au/issue1/Guppy/poecilia.jpg
Here is a excelent spciemen of a female: http/images.arofanatics.com/members/gupp...ery/image26.jpg
Notice the bottom fin difference's? That tell's thier sex. Here is a god link by Tokis-Pheonix: http/www.fishforums.net/content/Common-L...nancy-And-More/

Page three tell's you how to sex them, and show's the differnece like the gonopudim(sp?).

 

[snoozysusie]

You could have the gourami, but it will no doubt eat the fry. Corries like warm water( like 80-82 if poss) , and they NEED to be in school's of like 4 at the minnimum. Male Guppies are Very Pretty and Vibrant, but most female's are very dull. Her is a pic of a lovely male: [URL="http/www.onset.unsw.edu.au/issue1/Guppy/poecilia.jpg"]http/www.onset.unsw.edu.au/issue1/Guppy/poecilia.jpg[/URL]
Here is a excelent spciemen of a female: [URL="http/images.arofanatics.com/members/gupp...ery/image26.jpg"]http/images.arofanatics.com/members/gupp...ery/image26.jpg[/URL]
Notice the bottom fin difference's? That tell's thier sex. Here is a god link by Tokis-Pheonix: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Common-L...nancy-And-More/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Common-L...nancy-And-More/[/URL]

Page three tell's you how to sex them, and show's the differnece like the gonopudim(sp?).

Looks like the 3 guppies I have are all male -having looked at the link you sent. Couldnt view the female guppy link for some reason?? it's all symbols ?? In any case.. the 3 I have all have very colourful bright orange tails and I think they are male so no fry at the moment yet anyway
I have decided to take back the gourami, red tetra, penguins and tetras as suggested and get more guppies as its really exciting getting the fry !! Wouldnt want to risk them being eaten by the gourami (as cool as he is!) so will ask the pet store if its ok to take all those Ive listed back ...
Not sure about getting corries and having to adjust the temp as the existing guppies, rummy nose, neon and xray tetras all seem happy so dont want to disturb them too much . Will get some more females and hope for some fry at a later stage Im sure these little tetras Ive mentioned will get along great with the guppies. Will be careful not to get overstocked if/when they do start having babies !

 

[kribensis12]

Rule is 1 male per 2 female's. Or else the male's will stress the female's out real bad, too the point of death. Here is a differnet link of female guppies: http/img27.exs.cx/img27/6515/guppybleeding2rb.jpg
Do you have any pic's?

 

[snoozysusie]

Rule is 1 male per 2 female's. Or else the male's will stress the female's out real bad, too the point of death. Here is a differnet link of female guppies: [URL="http/img27.exs.cx/img27/6515/guppybleeding2rb.jpg"]http/img27.exs.cx/img27/6515/guppybleeding2rb.jpg[/URL]
Do you have any pic's?

Hi sorry no I don't have pics but I'm sure they are male having looked at the link to a female guppy pic (thank you!) I phoned the LFS this morning and its cool to take back the shark, gourami etc. Will remove the penguin, red tetra and 3 zebras too and get some female guppies. Was wondering if the other tetras (xray, neons and rummynoses) will be ok with the fry?? I know they are only small but are they known to eat ??
Also wondering about getting more livebearers (if poss maybe some swordtails or platties) ... which are the smallest and would there be any probs with putting them with the guppies and tetras ? Would the fry (if I get any) all get along or cause probs?? Also which are the smallest growing in size so I dont overcrowd my tank again ??
Cheers again for all the help so far.. !