Ready to have her babies?

[Amphitrite]

How should I know when my female (guppy) is ready to have her babies or is it just random?

 

[Annastasia]

Some signs will include being moody, sometimes chasing fish away, maybe staying in one spot or hiding somewhere. She'll look ready to pop, and if you look at her head on, she can look slighty squarish in her stomach area. It's mostly random though....usually they give birth at night or early morning though.

 

[Amphitrite]

She keeps floating around the top of the tank. My female platy keeps coming, floating beside her for a moment then going back down. You can't really see her but here's a picture - http/img292.imageshack.us/img292/1231/picture0702lz.jpg

 

[Annastasia]

Hmm...she doesn't look very fat yet. I'd say at least another week.

And have you checked the water params? Is there enough oxygen in the tank? Gasping is not usually a sign of labour....

 

[Amphitrite]

I checked the water friday and everything was normal..

 

[Annastasia]

Could you just please post the results though?

And does she have any signs of disease, or anything? This could be a sign of labour...though it's not very usual. Not saying it couldn't happen though. I'd watch her, and see what happens. From the picture she doesn't look very far along, but she could be having a small batch, or the picture could be deceiving.

 

[Amphitrite]

I don't remember the results but I know they were normal.

I don't think she has disease, she looks fine to me. Right now she's still up in the corner, just floating there, taking a breath from the top of the water every few minutes (she's not gasping or anything). One of my platys came near her and it looked like she tried to nip at him. I'm not sure.. I'll just keep watching her and see what happens.

 

[Snailguy101]

DO the test again and tell us the results not thathard....

 

[tttnjfttt]

It is often usful to post all the stats, and not just say they are ok. This is because some people claim their stats are ok, but when they do post them, it is clear that part of the problem is with their water. Just trying to cover all the bases, please don't take offense at this.

 

[Amphitrite]

Okay I'll test the waters when I get home, I have to go to work right now though. I'll be back in three hours or so. Bye.

Edit: Got my date messed up, don't have to be at work for another couple hours.

Test stripes cost like 25$ for three here so I try not to waste them but I'll go do it again. Here are the results pH is 6.7, Ammonia is 0.14, nitrite is 0.0, nitrate is 21, temp is 25 º C. Those are normal, arent they?

 

[afireinside]

that sounds exactly what my guppy did a week before it gave birth. i don't think there is anything to worry about.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ammonia is 0.14

I would do a partial water change. Ammonia is something you really want to keep at zero. My limited experience with guppies is they tend to be fairly fragile, so you do want to keep an eye on your water stats (nitrite is also bad). I'm not saying this is what is or isn't stressing your guppy out, or whether she is ready to give birth, but i can gaurentee it is not helping things.

Also, for future reference, you can get a master test kit at www.bigalsonline.com for like $20 (including shipping), and that will give you alot more tests, and more accurate results than the dip stick ones.

 

[Amphitrite]

At 0? Ok, I'll do a water change then. As for the test things, they aren't dipsticks, they are these little strips my mom 'pilfers' from work because she uses alot of chemicals when she works.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Yup, ammonia and nitrite should always be at zero, and nitrate less than 40.

I can't remember if you have answered this before, but did you cycle your tank, and if so, how and how long ago?

 

[Amphitrite]

I bought the tank from my dads friend, who cycled the tank five months ago.