I need help from ya all please

[Midmania]

Hi All,

I am pretty new to all this, but would love all your advice and experience to help me and my fish.

I have a newly set up tank. When we first got fish about 6-8 weeks ago, we release a guppy in to the tank only to find that it was giving birth. I rushed to get a breeding tank and there were 11 fry. Only 6 have survived. These are now in a separate tank and are really happy.

What I would like to know from you all is your 'tell tale' signs that tell you how long/when a pregnant livebearer will give birth. I have a 2-chamber breeding tank which I have 2 fish in, but I am also consious that these have been in for over 24 hours now. They are really happy in there and seem very calm. However, I was prompted in putting them in because :

1) They were fighting all males off in the tank.
2) They have been sitting at the bottom of the tank, and
3) They have been in and around the heater a lot.

I also have a black mollie doing the same, however, I have only just got that home today. I am being patient, but for the sake of the fish, I do not want to distress them by keeping them isolated.

Your long standing experience is greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Mid.

 

[Zenn]

Well, for me i specailise in swordtail breeding, but there aint much difference, so i guess i can be of help, now one thing, you can never be sure of when a female carring is about to drop, but there are a few signs before she does, she will begin acting starnge like swimming rapidly around the tank, or not swimming at all, in a small spot in the tank, she great very aggrssive towards fh around her, she fins stand on end most of the time, these are common signs of behavior towards birth, another is the gravid spot (the black spot by her anal fin), if it is close to the anal fin then this means she is about to drop, or if her belly looks square, it is a good chance she will drop in about 20 minutes. Now you have to be careful, because if the female gets stressed, she can abort her fry, and you will lose out , generally i let the female give birth in the main tank and hook the fry out and then put them in my mesh net of breeding trap, but it is not advisable if you think your other fish will eat them, then there you go you have baby fishies..

I am still pretty new at breeding myself, i have a swordtail that in her first batch left me two fry, i think she gave more, but i think they may have been eaten and in my second she gave me 5 and now she is due for her third with me and she has been what looks like labor for 48 hours now, she will drop any minute soon, so i am looking forward to it...

I hope this is of help to you... and congrats on your fry...

 

[Angry_Platy]

When my female platies are about to give birth they hang about at the top of the tank and get REALLY grumpy...like normally my females are placid fish....but at birth time, they chase anything that goes near them. They are also SOOOO fat that they look like they can't swim anymore!! They look like they are breathing more (mouth and gill movement) and move their fins more...

Usually for me....too late though....I know when I have fry as my once fat females become thin again!!

 

[Midmania]

Thanks for your replies so far.

This is the Guppy that I have in question. It is very calm and looks big with a square-ish stomach. I hope you see this pic. Sorry for the quality, but it is the best I could get.

I have noticed that the spot has moved down. Please offer any suggestions.

Many Thanks,
Mid.

 

[Zenn]

Well your camera show a good enough picture that she is indeed preggy and should soon drop, but it may be a little longer, but the spot will get very close to the anual fin, looking as if it would pop out it any second, that is the time to move

 

[Midmania]

Well she did it. Woke up this morning to find 12 fry.

The patience paid off. Thanks for all your help.

Mid.