How young can male guppies breed?

[dwarfgourami]

I have noticed over the last few days that my young male guppy (on an estimate 2 mths old, give or take a few weeks) is beginning to show a definite interest in his mother and aunt. They, on the other hand, seem less than charmed by his attentions. Time to move that boy soon, I reckon.

But how old would he have to be to impregnate a female? His gonopodium has been showing for the last couple of weeks, but he is still quite small.

I take it platies become sexually mature later. My 2 months-old cannot yet be sexed.

 

[Annastasia]

He could breed with them now. As long as he has a fully developed gonopodium, he can breed.

And yeah, Platies become mature later. They can breed at 3 months though, given a male has a gonopodium.

 

[guppymonkey]

Guppies (male or female) can breed at very very young ages. Males as soon as they grow the gonopodium. Females, at around 3 months generally. Although I wouldn't recommend breeding them for at least 4 to 8 months.

 

[dwarfgourami]

As I thought. Time to move that boy. Cheers, folks.

 

[Annastasia]

Guppies (male or female) can breed at very very young ages. Males as soon as they grow the gonopodium. Females, at around 3 months generally. Although I wouldn't recommend breeding them for at least 4 to 8 months.

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Yep. 6 months is usually the recommend earliest breeding time, as they are considered "mature" then. However, they continue to get coloring and markings after that.

If they accidently breed early...you can't help that. But if you have control, 6 months is best.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Well, I hadn't actually planned breeding him at all. Though he is a handsome boy....

My only concern is there may be bullying issues in his new tank; ideally I would have liked to have moved him at the same time as the young platys, but I feel they are still a bit young. I'll just have to go very carefully and keep a close eye.l

I can't get my family to see eye to eye with me on the subject of multiple tanks.

 

[Annastasia]

What fish are in his new tank that you are concerned about?

Most young males, when they get to breeding age, can fend for themselves. That's actually when, in my experience, they are most aggressive (Which isn't saying much but still!). Of course, it depends on the fish. Is he going in with other males?

 

[dwarfgourami]

It's the male platy who has proved himself a bit of a bully in the past. Strictly speaking I suppose he shouldn't have rivalling issues with another species, but this may not occur to Mickey who is as goofey as they come. Sunny (the guppy) does seem to have a lot of macho aggression in his make-up, but he is really tiny.

What fish are in his new tank that you are concerned about?

Most young males, when they get to breeding age, can fend for themselves. That's actually when, in my experience, they are most aggressive (Which isn't saying much but still!). Of course, it depends on the fish. Is he going in with other males?

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[Annastasia]

Hmmm...

Aggressive Platies will sometimes pick on other fish, especially ones with long fins. Could you possibly divide your fry tank, one side for females and one for males? Because you will definitely have more males, sometime. I don't know, just a thought. But I don't know if he's ready to face the Platy at only 2 months.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks, I'll give it some thought. What this house needs of course is more tanks, but I don't seem to be able convince the electorate.

Hmmm...

Aggressive Platies will sometimes pick on other fish, especially ones with long fins. Could you possibly divide your fry tank, one side for females and one for males? Because you will definitely have more males, sometime. I don't know, just a thought. But I don't know if he's ready to face the Platy at only 2 months.

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[Annastasia]

What you need to do, is find a fish that everyone likes, and would really like to keep, and then convince them it needs a nice, big tank...

Then you have room for other fish. Just make sure the fish they want is compatible!

If that's not an option ( ), I would look in to dividing a little space in one of the tanks for males. Or even if it's just a small space for this one guy. I'd give him a little more time to grow, before sticking him with the Platy.