Livebearers Mollies & Others

[ktclayt]

I've read the article on guppie pregenancy which I thought was excellent and answered a lot of questions. But can someone please help regarding mollies, swordfish and platys.
How long is the pregenancy?
My swordfish gravid spot never gets dark, but stays a reddish colour. Is this normal.
I had a guppie which gave birth to 23 fry, but then seemed to only drop eggs, how long does the birthing go on for, and finally, my LFS said that birth is over when black spot gone entirely. But there is still a small spot.

Please help any advice will be helpful.

 

[theotheragentm]

If you see eggs from a livebearer, the fish is aborting the fry early. Is she in a breeder net? The black spot you are referring to it the gravid spot. It is ALWAYS present, but more pronounced and darker when pregnant. Livebearers are pregnant for approximately 4 weeks before giving birth. They can give birth up to six times without the presence of a male after they are first inseminated.

 

[dunchp]

Yup, I agree with the above.

Gestation period however depends on a few factors such as water temperature, what you are feeding, general stress of the female etc etc, species of fish. I keep my fish cooler (for instance) than most other folks and the gestation period is generally between 5 and 8 weeks depending on the fish.

The way to work it out is to write in your diary when your fish drops her fry, then make a note of when she drops a second time and then a third. Work out the time between births and this will be the gestation period for your fish. This will change from fish to fish and species to species, but it will be a great general guide.