How To Encourage Birthing?

Schmill · Nov 5, 2009

I have a female guppy that is my oldest fish and is regularly pregnant, (I removed the males a few months ago), however she does seem absolutely stuffed with fry at the moment, massive gravid patch, back is bent, belly is swollen, tail is down, but she is not birthing.
Normally I'd just let her get on with it, but now it looks like her scales are starting to lift, and she may even have a slight 'wooly' patch on her side (I need to get a closer look to be sure), so I really think she needs to let these fry go!

Any ideas on getting her to start the big push?

Tory · Nov 5, 2009

I seperated my Mollys months ago, and ive had four batches since!! Normally for me, waer changes, or just topping up with cold water sets them off - it mimicks when it rains which is when they usually give birth - I found 30+ fry 3 days ago! Hopefully she is done now *fingers crossed*

Good luck!

helterskelter · Nov 5, 2009

So how old is she?

Just scales lifting dont sound good, if it's dropsey then this will make her fat to.

It's a inbalance of the internal water levels and little that can be done if this is the problem.

Can u got a pic of the fish for us to look at?

Schmill · Nov 5, 2009

I'll try and get a pic of her tonight, but my camera leaves a lot to be desired.
I've had her a least 18 months, and I don't know how old she was when I got her from the LFS.