Pregnant Guppy Swims On Top

[zsimmons14]

Hi, Last week we brought 3 female guppies to go with our males, within a day or so one of the females looks pregnant, she has the black spots has got larger (obviously pregnant). Only thing is we don't know if she was pregnant before we got her or if she has got pregnant within the last week or so....how long before guppies normally give birth??

The problem we have is the last 24/36 hours she has been swimming (or just looks like shes sitting still) at the top of the water, she likes to be alone, if any other fish swim near her she will normally swim away
Is she ok?? and should we put her in the breeding chamber now?

We had Molly's who were pregnant and we put them in the breeding chamber when they were giving birth, when we released the fry a few weeks later they all died...whats best to raise the fry? and how long should they stay in the breeding chamber?

Thanks Zoe

 

[alexbinge]

Hi zsimmons14 i have had guppys for a little wisle now and i have just had my 1st drop and i am expecting another in the next couple off hours. If you think they are pregnant you are most probably coprect. As you may know if a male guppy is in the same tank as a female the female is most probably pregnant. When i thirst go my guppys i thought she was going to have the fry within 2 or 3 days so i put her in my breeding trap. After reading about guppys on the internet i realised i was rushing and the guppy was only about 1 week pregnant. When reading info on the internet there are manny different opinions. You may find you could read one pice of infomation and you will think she will be almost due but you could read another piece of info and it would say she is still 3 weeks away. my opinion is dont try and rush in to things your guppy will give birth when she is ready. The signes i looked for was the swelling near the anal fin her bum will start to swell and turn white. when this happens it can be from 1 hour up to three days. when you notice this try and keep a close eye on her and look for heavy breathing this will happen one to aproximatly 6 hours before labour. The final sympton i looked for was the guppy sitting on the floor of the tank. when you see all these symptons she should give birth verry soon.
Good luck with your guppys when she gives birth it is such an amazing thing.
If you are not sure what to feed them there are quite a few foods for them my favorite is someting called liqui fry. It is a liquid and you just put one or two drop in 4 times a day.
If you dont want to get any special foods i find you can place so off your normal fish food in a drop off water untill it turns to pulp. when it has done this you can put a tiny piece in the tank but i do mean tiny .
Dont worry if the fry do not go straight to the food they will eat it over time.
I hope this helps let me know how it goes good luck.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Alex