Guppy Behaviours...

[DannyBlackbourn]

Hey there,
If you have seen my other posts then you already Know I have a nearly cycled tank with a male and a female Guppy to occupy it.
(Was forced into doing a fish-in cycle)

Anyway I have noticed some different behavior between the two fish in the last few days...

I think I know the problem but any help to clarify this would be very much appreciated.

Right first off, the pair are starting to swim together side by side... they haven't done this since I have had them in the tank, was wondering if this could be because they want to mate/or have already mated...?

Also I thought the other day my female was pregnant, I have read the topic on this forum about how to tell if a female is pregnant and I am quite sure she is. so I am assuming that because she is less lively now then she used to be, maybe she is close to giving birth?

She also seems to be more shy than usual, keeping hidden behind my plants or decor most of the time...

My male has had the totally opposite effect and has become a lot more lively than he usually was, maybe the Melafix I have been adding seems to be fixing his fins rather nice and he has become more perky and his colours have become more distinct

My verdict is that the Female is pregnant and obviously the pair are close because of this? And my male is becoming more vibrant because he's fins are becoming better...?
(this is my first ever tank so please excuse my dumbness haha...)

 

[lilacamy931]

hey again!

just some helpful links for you, stages of a guppy pregnancy:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=200198

Guppy / livebearer profiles
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88199

hope these help! I had foru males for a little while and their colours came out more when they had settled in properly in their surroundings, so you probably have a super happy male.

Have read the females can get a bit shy with pregnany etc and when they are close like more quiet and subdue and hang back from others in the tank. I havent had pregnant guppies so all the best!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Yes, Thank you so much

I have read about the stages before, but not seen the profile pages before...

Maybe I should have found this forum before starting to keep fish...

Well I'm here now anyway haha.

I'm quite surprised they could breed and be happy in my tank.

Still got high Nitrite Level's but they are hanging in there...!

0.50ppm at the mo! need to get the stupid thing down haha!

 

[Gilli]

Your nitrite levels will be affecting the fish - daily 50% water changes needed until they are at 0.

Also as soon as your tank is cycled you will need more females - at least 3 females to 1 male or your female will get pestered to death, male guppies are serial sex pests!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Your nitrite levels will be affecting the fish - daily 50% water changes needed until they are at 0.

Also as soon as your tank is cycled you will need more females - at least 3 females to 1 male or your female will get pestered to death, male guppies are serial sex pests!

Yeah I know,

Got it down to 0.50ppm from 2.0ppm in the last few days.

Will hope to get it down more by the next few...



It's actually so tiring haha! Cannot wait until its cycled though!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

This is the difference in the males colour since I first got him

Day 2

Day 10 - been using Melafix for 3 days now

 

[lilacamy931]

definately looks healthier! You are doing all the right things and soon the hard work will pay off, keep it up!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

definately looks healthier! You are doing all the right things and soon the hard work will pay off, keep it up!

I hope so

Just cannot wait until it's cycled!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Right I may have another problem...

The male Guppy I have has decided to pursue the female for the last 5 minutes...

There has been no contact of what I have seen so far, but I think he wants to mate again...
(I'm quite sure she is already Pregnant...)

What should I do?
I don't want her to be stressed by the male, or anything to happen to her at all...

However I don't have any dividers or another tank I could separate one into...

 

[cowboy507]

The best thing to do would get more females. But as you dont want to do that right now because of nitrites..
i would add more hiding places, high and low ones. or you can put in a temporary divider. Some clear sturdy plastic with holes will be good enough.

to answer the swimming question.
guppies have many mating "dances" one of these are swimming behind or next to their potential mate, males also will nip at the females anal region, males will shake vigorously with fins splayed out or bend their bodies in a U shape.
This is all normal, and also the reason why more than one female to a male is recommended.

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

I will see what I can do in creating a divider.
I haven't got the cash to go out and buy one otherwise I would!

Stupid males wanting it all the time! haha

Nitrite results are at 0.25ppm this morning...

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Right so my female has decided to hide herself away now for the last few hours.

I can see her through a hole in part of my decor so I am able to monitor her.

She only comes out when it looks like I'm about to feed (lift up the lid of the tank).

I guess she is close to giving birth?

 

[cowboy507]

when she is about ready to drop she will be close to the top normally by some hiding places, floating plants or something similar, and is staying away from everyone as much as possible. her gravid spot will be really dark and she will look like she is about to explode.