Guppy keeping me waiting!

[cheekeyarab]

I am starting to get a little frustrated waiting for my first batch of fry! Have had Mum for 3 and a half weeks and she was pregnant when I bought her. I have been giving her a lovely varied diet which she has been wolfing down. The parameters in the tank are pretty much perfect. I am checking them regularly as I read somewhere that they will hold on to the fry if they feel water conditions are poor.
Three days ago I moved her into to a breeding net as she looked ready to go and was getting a bit fed up with the other fish. She seems to like being in there especially as there is no competition for food!

Anyway my question is why won't she have her babies?
If you think she might have a bit longer left should I let her out of the breeding net? I don't want to stress her out.
Is there anything I can do to encourage her?

I am a bit worried for her as she is quite a young female but all the older ones in the lfs were much more pregnant than her and you guys always say not to buy heavily pregnant ones. She looked the least pregnant at the time so I chose her for that reason but I have now fallen in love with her and want her to be okay.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanx

 

[Annastasia]

It sounds like you are doing everything right!

She may just be pregnant for longer. I've had Guppies that were pregnant for close to 5 weeks.

It seems like she was acting kind of moody with the other fish? And, if you look at her face one, does she look kind of squarish? Those are usually signs they are pretty close to giving birth. If she doesn't have her babies within the next few days...I'd take her out. You don't want her getting really stressed (Though it sounds like she isn't) and aborting all the babies.

Try giving her Bloodworms, or Brine Shrimp, if you aren't already.

 

[mlee0332]

Actually 24 hrs is long enough in the breeder. If you feel she is close, close to birth, raise the temp 2-3 degrees f slowly. Don;t leave her in there for much longer, cuz as ann said, she can abort...

 

[afireinside]

Have had Mum for 3 and a half weeks and she was pregnant when I bought her.

hmm, it sounds like something is wrong to me. when i get pregnet female fish, they always give birht within three days.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Have had Mum for 3 and a half weeks and she was pregnant when I bought her.

hmm, it sounds like something is wrong to me. when i get pregnet female fish, they always give birht within three days.

guppy pregnancys last between 3 and 5 weeks in total, it is wrong to buy heavily pregnant fish as it cause much stress and significantly increases the chances of birthing and fry complications etc.

 

[cheekeyarab]

She is definitely acting differently today. She has been hiding a lot today and didn't eat much this morning. I will turn up the temperature slightly but I have a couple more questions:

1. How slowly should I increase the temp?
2. Should I keep the light off? I have it on right now but I am sure my plants can go 24hours without the light.

Thanx for all your replies.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

a. 26degrees is a good temp for a soon-to-give-birth guppy, but if its much lower than that avoid raising it too much will cause her too much stress for it to be worth it.
b. Turning off the tank lights will help alot in helping reduce her stress levels

 

[cheekeyarab]

Cheers for that.
Tank is at 25 so will increase it by one degree, turning the light out now.
Will let you know how she gets on!

Thanx again for the advice.