Pregnant Guppy??

[ClustersBabyMama]

I got a pair of guppies from them lfs a few days ago... but the male died, but when i purchased them they said that the female was pregnant, she looks very pregnant, andkepes gettin bigger so i assume she is.. anyone thinks they can tell me how much longershe has to go?? her gravid spot is very dark and big- and since i have nowhere to put her after she has her babies so she wont eat them... should i just put them in a breeding net? or her in th e breeding net after she gives birth??

 

[ClustersBabyMama]

 

[sylvia]

Yes, your fish is heavily pregnant but it isn't possible to say when exactly she'll give birth. Things like water temperature and feeding can alter the rate of development of the fry and, also, when she delivers. What I can tell you is that you need not put the female or fry in a breeder. Leave them in the tank but provide lots of hiding places (plants - either fake or live are ideal.) There's lots of fake plants made especialy to appeal to the owner of a pregnant livebearer so I'm sure you'll find plenty that are suitable. As long as the fry have places to hide they are fast and know to swim away from their mum istinctively so some, if not most, should survive. Now, as for when she is going to give birth - can you see the whites of the fry's eyes in the gravid spot? If you can, she will be giving birth within the next 1-5 days, usualy it'll be just a couple of days after the whites first appear. You'll also notice a change in her behaviour just before or possibly up to a day before so just watch her, provide hiding places and test your water to make sure it is in good shape. The fry can be fed crushed or powdered flake - twice a day is ideal.

 

[sylvia]

One more thing, what size tank? What are your current water parameters and what other fish are in the tank? I assumed you had a cycled tank of reasonable size (10 gallons or more) and that the guppy was the only fish in the tank after the male died... BTW, in future, keep in mind that guppies must always be kept at a ratio of at elast 2 females for every 1 male. Just in case you didn't know.

 

[ClustersBabyMama]

Yes, your fish is heavily pregnant but it isn't possible to say when exactly she'll give birth. Things like water temperature and feeding can alter the rate of development of the fry and, also, when she delivers. What I can tell you is that you need not put the female or fry in a breeder. Leave them in the tank but provide lots of hiding places (plants - either fake or live are ideal.) There's lots of fake plants made especialy to appeal to the owner of a pregnant livebearer so I'm sure you'll find plenty that are suitable. As long as the fry have places to hide they are fast and know to swim away from their mum istinctively so some, if not most, should survive. Now, as for when she is going to give birth - can you see the whites of the fry's eyes in the gravid spot? If you can, she will be giving birth within the next 1-5 days, usualy it'll be just a couple of days after the whites first appear. You'll also notice a change in her behaviour just before or possibly up to a day before so just watch her, provide hiding places and test your water to make sure it is in good shape. The fry can be fed crushed or powdered flake - twice a day is ideal.

thanks! she doesnt stay still long enough for me to see, but i have noticed a few "white spots" around her gravid spot- im sure its not ich so that must be what it is- She's been really active lately ... is that normal or would she get less active when its closer to birth? im pregnant myself and i know im LESS active now that its close LOLOL

 

[sylvia]

Actualy I couldn't answer that question because they all seem to behave differently. It's just a change in behaviour but not in a particular way. Some of mine would hide, others would slow down completely, others would get realy nervous... they just change but I couldn't say how

 

[ClustersBabyMama]

One more thing, what size tank? What are your current water parameters and what other fish are in the tank? I assumed you had a cycled tank of reasonable size (10 gallons or more) and that the guppy was the only fish in the tank after the male died... BTW, in future, keep in mind that guppies must always be kept at a ratio of at elast 2 females for every 1 male. Just in case you didn't know.

Its a 5 gal right now, if moeny is good i plan on getting a 10 gal asap, ther ewas 2 females 1 male.. theres 1 more female in there, she can easily be moved is she'll be a problem with the fry, seeing as we have 2 29 gals, 1 20 gal ( but its brackish so no go there) and a 55 gal( she cant go in there either, frontosa lives there ) Wehn my fiance gets home ( he knows more about fish than i do) , ill have him check the levels of the tank and see if they are ok, he did a few days ago and they were perfect, temp is around 75 to 78 degrees? He says its fine ) i cant read the thermometer that well ( my eyes suck), if there is room that i can put a 10 gal where i have the 5gal, i hope to get a 10 gal 2morrow or even today if thats best

 

[ClustersBabyMama]

Actualy I couldn't answer that question because they all seem to behave differently. It's just a change in behaviour but not in a particular way. Some of mine would hide, others would slow down completely, others would get realy nervous... they just change but I couldn't say how

well when i first got her she wasnt really that active, it worried me because i thought she was dying- but now shes fine and swims actively through the tank and eats normally , usually chases the other female away! LOL