Pregnant Barb?

[pugwash]

Hello - We just bought a 5 gallon tank for our son with 1 tetra, 2 barbs, and 1 algae eater. Tonight I noticed that one of the barb's bellies looks swollen. Is it possible that she is pregnant or maybe sick? She seems fine. If she is, in fact, pregnant, are there any steps to take? Should I seperate her in one of those little net containers to keep them safe from other fish after she gives birth? Or will she just eat them anyway? What is a fish's gestational period? In other words once you notice the swollen belly, how much longer before she actually gives birth?

We've had all the fish about 3 months.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dakota Ice]

A barb is an egg layer -- she cannot be pregnant, but laden with eggs. Most barbs dont breed on their own, most need to be stimulated. But keep her in there, and if/when she lays the eggs, if there is a male, he will swim over the eggs and fertilize them.

Good Luck!
Dakota