New To Guppy Breeding, A Few Questions?

[saffholly]

Hi, this is my first post so go easy on me

Almost 3 weeks ago i put 3 female guppies into a new tank (bought from pets at home), i already have a tank of males and my daughter wanted to breed them so i set up a tank in her room. Within a day one of the fish gave birth and i managed to rescue the fry (which are now in our 3rd tank), the other 2 were clearly pregnant when we brought them home. I didn't have a clue the other fish was going to give birth, she wasn't very fat at all. The other 2 are now getting quite big and have quite large black avid spots. If i bought them almost 3 weeks ago (sunday) then its very likely they will give birth soon right? So my questions:

1, when do i know when they are about to give birth? i thought it was when the avid spot is square but it seems to have been like this for a few days now.

2, should i keep the fry are they likely to be no good (inbred and possably their first fry).

3, we were hoping to breed blue guppie so we bought some blue males, one of the females is blue. when can i put a male into the tank?

Thank you in advance xx

 

[PrairieSunflower]

1, when do i know when they are about to give birth? i thought it was when the avid spot is square but it seems to have been like this for a few days now.

Its not the gravid spot itself that turns square but more the shape of the back side. If you look closely and can see where the anal hole is (I'm so not a technical term person), that area sort of drops forming the "corner"... it has always been a very short time from when you see that to discovering fry... with my females.

2, should i keep the fry are they likely to be no good (inbred and possably their first fry).
Your pet shop guppies can save up sperm for multiple drops, they are likely to continue dropping for 5-6 months, so you may as well keep some as it will be a long wait for them to be emptied. That is not to say you can't still pair them with your own males... but batches will end up being mixed with yours and the unknown males they have mated with previously... best time to mate them in closely after they stop dropping fry... first couple of days.

3, we were hoping to breed blue guppie so we bought some blue males, one of the females is blue. when can i put a male into the tank?
I don't see why not... when I want mine to breed and I just put the male I like in with whichever females I like. (I'm not very fussy though.)

The best way to breed your own fry is to find a breeder who will raise virgin females... then you can guarentee your babies will come from your males. Pet shops are not reliable for selling virgin females.

 

[saffholly]

Thank you, i put her into the net last night as she looked squared off, she was hanging around near the filter so i thought 'this is it' i checked her in the night and nothing so this morning she went back in with the other 2 (one of which should be due soon too). She must be due to drop soon as we have had them for 3 weeks now, one gave birth a day after we got her and the others were already pregnant (dark avid spot). I think i will just leave them to give birth in the tank and then fish oout the fry that survive (as soon as i find them), we managed to save 8 from the first one.

What age can yopu sell the fry? when can you tell the sex of them? our babbies are just getting colour (mainly black and yellow) but i think at 3 weeks its too early to tell the sex?

We will probably give most of the babbies away or sell them cheaply. I can't wait to breed them with my males (the blue's and the snake skins) though its exciting waiting to see what colour these babbies will be.