Guppy Question

[FrankP]

Hi,

I have a couple of female guppies that are huge I ma sssuiomg they are pregnant. I have a couple of questions:

1: How can you tell when they are going to give birth - any signs, symptoms etc.
2: Should I get a breeder thing that floats in the tank or set up a small nuesrey tank.
3: If the tank is the best way how do you stop mum from eating offspring?

Thanks

Frank

 

[a1wonder]

Could a mod or someone please move this question over to the Livebearers section please.

 

[Talisman]

1. When you see the gravid dark spot near their anal fin, they are well pregnant. as to when they are going to drop, not sure myself, i just keep an eye on them. You are suppose to move them to a breeding tank/net, a few days before giving birth to avoid stress. I dont see how to judge this and when i saw mine poping them out the other day i put her in the breeding tank then with no probs.


2. A small nursery tank is better IMO, and that is what im saving up for now. But im using a floating small breed tank thing as we speak.


3. If mum is the only fish in the tank when giving birth, give plenty of plant cover for the fry. that way they can escape from her while she finishes, and then id move her back to the main tank. If using a floating one there is a section that fits a 3rd of the way up, when she gives birth they allow the fry to pass thru small bars to the bottom section, while she can only stay at the top and after birthing again move her back to the main tank, and remove the floating section to allow the fry more room to swim about in the floating breeding tank.

Hope that helps