When Do Livebearers Usuall Drop?

[aaronnorth]

I knoe its every 28days approx but i want to know the time e.g. night or is it just random sometimes, also if i put a bright light on while they were dropping, would this make them abort their pregnancy?

 

[5teady_2012]

They will drop when they are ready, day, night, anytime.

 

[omega59]

i believe they prefer darkness when they are droping, it reduces the stress on them. esp those who use breeders tisk tisk.

 

[lilfishie]

most of mine have given birth during the early hours of the morning, they'll be nothing at abt 6 am then by 7 theres loads lol, and theres nothing wrong with using breeders as long as if she does get stressed you release her, i have been using them for years and never had a problem.

 

[omega59]

but why take the chance and see if she will get stressed?

 

[5teady_2012]

but why take the chance and see if she will get stressed?

I have used breeding traps for years, if they are put in at the right time (just before drop) they are fine, due to the fish ready to drop it stays pretty static not needing much room as it will not swim much during the birth.

As long as when placed in trap you turn the tank light out and leave them alone, there is no need to worry, also with them been in the trap is lot less stresing than them being chased around by males while trying to drop (males know when the female is dropping and will follow her waiting for the fry to drop and WILL eat them)....

In all the years i have been breeding livebearers and placed them in a trap, must be easily over 1000 times i have used a trap.

Total deaths of fish been in a trap - 0

 

[becca320]

I have used traps for 4 of my drops so far and in my Humble experience the female has been less stressed in the trap than when she has been in the tank, providing you get the timing right , and have lots of fry to show for it , cant speak for anyone else though - just my opinion.

 

[dunchp]

The common wisdom is that they will drop during the small hours as has already been said, but they may also drop during the day. There is no hard and fast rule.

As for breeding traps, I have often looked on in boredom whilst the merits and demerits of them have been extolled. The truth is that there is so much crap spouted either way that you just have to work it out for yourself.

Steady has worked it out for himself and he thinks they are great, I have worked it out for myself and I have another view; if traps work for you then go for it, if not then do something different. There are loads of options, from the simple to the elaborate.

 

[aaronnorth]

Thanks for reply's, i dont use a trap, i have heavily planted tanks so the fry always (or most) survive.