Guppy Giving Birth

[IovaykInD]

Do you think any of the fry will survive? I just have artificial plants in the tank, and I even floated one of them so that the fry can hide there. How many fry will survive, if you do survival of the fittest? Should I just let whatever survives in this batch survive, and whatever dies, dies? There's alway next month's batch

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

Yes, I think some will. Though, what fish do you have in the tank?

How many survive depend on how big the batch is, how well they hide, and what other fish you have. Usually around 3-15, if you wanted a guesstimate.

And yes, I would just let which ever ones survive, survive. If you rescue every single baby, you will be overstocked in no time. And yes, there is always next month's batch...and the month after that, and the month after that, and the month after that ...

 

[cheekeyarab]

As Annastasia mentioned already it really depends on what other fish are in the tank. I've never found any fry in my tank (my guppy always gives birth at night). My other fish obviously enjoy the snack but it is a shame!

 

[IovaykInD]

Well, there are three feeder guppies (two females, one male). And three fancy guppies (two females, one male). If 3-15 survive, how many plants would I need to achieve that? Would they have to cover the entire tank? It's a 29 gallon tank, and there's one fake plant that covers about 1/6 of the top. There are also rocks on the bottom, which the fry will be able to hide in, and the adults are too large to get down there. Also, some tiny plants, which I don't think will help much.

Here's a picture of it:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101632

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

I think you're going to need more plants. Preferably thick plants the adults can't go in, but the fry can fit in. I'd guess you'd get the low end on the survivers in the tank...

The more thick plants you add, though, the better the chance. Also, sometimes gravel can crush fry, or the fry get stuck in there...so I'm not sure how many to expect to get out if you think they'll hide in the gravel.

 

[IovaykInD]

Is water sprite a good plant for fry? I can get java moss, but I can't get that much. How many more plants am I looking at? Does the top of the tank have to be covered with plants? Maybe 50% of it?

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

Water Sprite is fairly good, provided it's pretty mature and big. I have some in my tanks, it would be an OK place for fry to hide. Java Moss is great too.

How many more plants you are looking at depends on the size of the plants. Probably at least 2-3 more big plants...and maybe 3-4 medium ones? The top of the tank doesn't have to be covered...50% sounds fine.

 

[IovaykInD]

Thanks Annastasia, you helped me a lot, not only on this post. I'm going to get some free water sprite so I'll leave it floating so the fry have some cover. I'm going to put all my artificial plants floating, so that the adults can't get there. I'll keep you updated, but if she gives birth before I leave, that'd be great.

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

Aww, you're welcome! I'm so glad I could help.

And it's not such a great idea to have all your plants floating..because the fry will want to explore the tank, and they need hiding places near the bottom too. I'd say half and half is good...and try to have plants all around the bottom, not just on one side, or in one corner. That will maximize the chances of fry survival, because if they venture around and get chased, they can head to a close plant, not one waaaaaay on the other side of the tank.

And yes, it would be great if she had them before you left. However, I can assure you...she will pick the most inconvient time possible. Like...when you're walking out the door.

How long has she been pregnant for, do you know?

Edit: I can't spell 'fry'...how sad.

 

[IovaykInD]

Well, I got her when she was pregnant. I can see the lump, just not explosion looking yet. She's not a full grown female either, like I've seen larger females, so she might be ready to deliver even though she doesn't look like it.

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

A lump? She shouldn't have a lump, she should just look fatter then normal...

If she's not full-grown yet, she could very well not get as fat as fully grown females. Sometimes young females will give birth earlier too. Though you usually don't get as many fry from them...so I'd expect maybe 20 max. Which will obviously make the fry survival number go down, because there are less to start with!

 

[IovaykInD]

Yea, that's what I meant. Just couldn't think of the word at the moment. Hopefully she delivers before Wednesday, because that's when I'm leaving.

Isaac

 

[Annastasia]

Keep the enviroment as stress free as possible, feed her good foods (High-Protein foods especially), and sometimes water changes can help it along. And of course, think fry thoughts....

 

[IovaykInD]

Will that make her deliver earlier, or does it just make sure her pregnancy is fine?

 

[Annastasia]

It will make sure it's fine, and it can help it along, because she won't hold on to her babies due to unsatisfactory conditions.