So Gravid Spots Mean Pregnant?

[MewMew42]

I'm new to the pregnant fish scene!
and i am pretty confused as to whether a dark spot before the anal fin means it is pregnant
i've heard guppies are mostly always pregnant when you buy them if they are not separated from the males at birth
is this the same for other live bearers?

here are pics of my guppies, do they look pregnant?[ i hav eposted pics before but these are clearer] if anyone could help me by telling how long they are along/left to go, it would be much appricated!

[i know that this preobably doesnt belong here but what the hey!]

i have a female swordtail and that came straight from a tank full of males and that has a gravid spot but not that dark, pregnant or not? sorry its not very clear but she does have a grayish spot

thanks a lot for any help!!!

 

[Christi_22]

Hi Mew Mew

I am also new, but have gone through the experience of several Guppy births. (not directly lol). Your females look pregnant, (and if they were in a mixed tank most definitely will be). Usually gestation takes 4 weeks plus, and can be even up to 6 weeks, there are some really useful threads on this site that will give you all the info you need, check out the search box on the top right, and I am sure that you will get some good advice from the forum.

I don't have experience with Swordtail's, although I think that the common livebarers are pretty similar in terms of breeding behaviour ???

One other thing I would add is that I have noticed with my Guppy females, that size does not always indicate how long to go, they do usually get very big and boxy and the dark (Gravid) spot gets quite large just before birth. There are other indicators though and you will learn with experience. (and by checking out all the advice on this forum)

Just enjoy, and have patience

C

 

[MewMew42]

hehe thanks a lot =]

ill just give it time and im sure ill notice!

thanks again!

 

[OldMan47]

There is a link in my signature area called ready to pop that will take you to a place that has lots of pictures of females getting close to giving birth. Guppies, swordtails, mollies and endlers all have many of the same symptoms and appearance when they are getting close. In my case, I have a molly that should be getting close by now. This picture was taken 5 weeks after her last drop.

This is the same female the day she last gave birth.

I think the change in the shape of her belly is obvious. The day 35 picture shows a fish that I expect to give birth within the next week. Shape is the main thing that I go by with common livebearers. The gravid spot color is very unreliable and sheer size often reflects overfeeding as much as pregnancy.