Pegnant Guppie

[n.y.parsons]

Can anyone help me out here?? I am new to the world of tropical fish. I recently bought 2 Guppies from a very good pet store and I am concerned about my female. I think she may be pregnant. Can anyone help me tell for sure? I can't attach my Pic of her, can anyone help me. Please can someone get back to me as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone
Yvonne

 

[Guppylover]

To tell if a female guppy is pregnent she must have a gravid spot. If the gravid spot is dark that

He is a picture of a female guppy and her gravid spot. She is pregnent.

 

[n.y.parsons]

Hi there, thank you for that reply. She has a very dark gravid spot and her tummy is very large, how do I know when she will have her fry's?

 

[Guppylover]

You bought her pregnent right? Well then it going to be hard to tell What you tanks temperature? Do you have lots of hiding spots around you tank? How many plants do you have?
Sorry about all the qestions but I need to know the answers to have an approximate guess on when your guppy will be giving birth.

 

[n.y.parsons]

Hi there, yes I think she must have been pregnant when we bought her. I have a few plants but I think I need more! The temerature of the water is around 27 but at times going up to 28. She keeps going to an area in the tank which is near the filter and where our largest plant is, she goes there on her own! I really want her to be healthy and for her fry to be born in a safe enviroment so I have been out and bought a little tank which I think floats in the main tank, I say think as I live in Germany and cannot read the instructions on where to put it. She looks very healthy, but as her tummy is quite big I feel she could be quite near her fry being born. I wish I could attach the photo of her, anyadvice on how to do this? I am quite dense so step by step guides would be greatful. Thanks so much for your help

Yvonne

 

[David]

Your female will probably give birth in several days to a week. If you look closely and can already make out the eyes of the fry in her belly then it will be very soon. Be aware that guppies do not care for their young, they eat them. The little tank you bought is called a breeding trap; you put the female inside it and when she gives birth the fry will fall through the slots in the bottom to safety. Immediately afterwards you should move the female to a seperate container and allow her to rest, don't give her too much room to move around or she will waste her energy. The fry should always be reared in a seperate tank, for two reasons: they will be eaten by the adult guppies, and adults release a hormone into the water that stunts the growth of fry. In the wild, this hormone would be diluted by the flow of water, but in a confined area like a tank they will only grow to about half size. This happened to me with my first batch. (only one miniature survived hehe) That was several years ago, I know better now.

 

[n.y.parsons]

Thanks for that David, I bet I sound so dense don't I? As I live in Germany (were in the forces) I have to get my stock etc from a local store, it seems quite a good one but the only thing is I havn't a clue what I am buying!!!! I know thats terrible but at least I am honest. I can't even tell you what sort of fish I have got other than some neons and my hopefully pregnant Guppie. Any advice as all the books I have are also in German and I can't seem to find any photos that look like mine.

Thanks for all your help
Yvonne

 

[David]

How many neons do you have? Neons should generally not be used for cycling, even though they are known to be quite hardy. You should wait a week before adding them in the future. They are also schooling fish so you should have at least 6. If not don't worry about it, the welfare of your fish is what is most important at this point. Never overstock your tank in the first week or so, as this is the most critical time for a new tank.

 

[Nurse22]

Hello Yvonne. How are you getting along here? I am in exactly the same predicament as you are. I too am in Germany, not being able to read German; I don't know what test kits I need or how to explain to the people what it is I'm looking for.
My guppy and platy are both pregnant. I don't have the slightest idea when they will drop.
I have no real advice. I am in the Hohenfels area, and get my tank supplies from the local Dehner in Amberg. I am looking for possibly a better supplier. For the reason that I think I am being sold diseased fish. If you are anywhere close, could you help me out?

 

[n.y.parsons]

Hi David, thanks again, I have 9 Neons, I cycled my tank for a month before puting anything in to it other than the plants etc. I have a filter, a heater and an extra thing which makes bubbles in the water ( it looks nice if nothing else). After the first month I put into the tank 2 suckers(very small ones) 5 Neons, 2 Guppies. We lost one of the Neons, somehow he got stuck in the filter. We had them in there for a couple of weeks then we added to them 2 more Gupiies, 5 more Neons and 4 other fish which I don't know what breed they are. I lost one of my origional Guppies (male) however last night . They look very happy in there and I am hopeing thats how it will remain. If you have anything else you can advise me on I would be very greatful.

Hi nurse 22, Nice to hear from you. Wher abouts in Germany are you? I am not far from Monchengladbach, if you are not too far awy from there I can give you some details. I have found a shop which has been recomended to me by friends and up to now they have been great. Why do you think your fish are diseased?

Cheers Yvonne

 

[n.y.parsons]

Can someone please help me out here. I can't attach a picture of my Pregnant Guppie, can some one please advise me in detail or give me thier e-mail address so that I can send it to them?

Cheers Yvonne

 

[snowyangel]

To add a picture it should be under 100k and be .jpeg format. You may needa web page to host your pictures if you don't have one already. I use photobucket.com. then just copy and paste the "image" url here.

 

[David]

Good job Yvonne it looks like you did your research before making any rash decisions. You added the right amount of fish at the right times, and although you lost several it is natural for beginners to do so; don't worry about it. All I can say is as soon as the fry are born immediately move them to a different container and do water changes at least once daily (fry are much more sensitive to water quality as their immune systems are not yet fully developed). Feed them live food only at first and gradually wean them onto frozen and flake food. Keep their water very clean and at a higher temperature than you typically would, and you should be fine.

 

[David]

Can you describe to me the 4 other fish that you are unsure of? Or maybe post pics of them I might be able to tell you what they are.

 

[guppymonkey]

What size tank are these fish in? If it is a ten gallon tank or smaller than it sounds like there are a lot of fish. Your floating box could be a good place to keep the fry (baby fish) after they are born. You should try to change 1/4 of the water every week especially after the fry are born. This will make them grow faster. They can eat fish flakes from the time they are born but the pieces must be smaller so that they can fit in the fry's tiny mouths.