Guppy In Labour

[rubiix]

Hi everyone. I have my first guppy that seems to be in labour. I bought her over four weeks ago and so logically it must be her time or close to it, however there are a few others that are also pregnant. She is by far the fattest though. I haven't noticed the squaring off or the box shape that is supposed to occur so I thought she wasn't quite ready yet. Earlier tonight though I found a single baby fry, and so decided to put the fattest guppy and bub in a breeder box. This was a few hours ago and at the moment there have been no more babies. Is this normal? How long does a guppy labour usually take?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

You can tell which guppy is in labor by their dorsal and anal fins contracting with the contractions. Usually they go down to the bottom of the tank, their fins start contracting up and down then a baby pops out, usually less than a minute later.

 

[rubiix]

This guppy is the only one that looks close, the others haven't started to balloon out. However no more have appeared in three hours. I'm really confused as to where this mystery fish has come from.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Its not always the fattest female to deliver first, especially if some of first timers.

Also, fry are AWESOME hiders! Check especially in the gravel or on plant leaves.

 

[rubiix]

I've been keeping an eye out for babies but havent been able to spot any. All the guppies seem to be acting normally, and bar the guppy I already put in the trap everyone scoffed dinner so no one is clearly in labour.