When Will They Give Birth?

[catherine896]

In my 125 litre community tank there are 5 female guppies, 2 male guppies, 6 fry that we managed to catch with a net and seperate into a floating breeder box - only ones left, we didnt even know a female had given birth! We also have 3 neons and 4 corys.
The guppy fry are about 1cm long now. All 5 females have the gravid spot and about 3 of them are FAT! Pretty sure they are pregnant but just don't know how to tell when they are going to give birth.
I have ordered a twin breeder box and it should be arriving soon, but when should I put the female in there to give birth? What signs would she be showing?
I noticed 1 female was just staying at the surface, not really swimming about, that was 2 days ago, now she is fine again and swimming about - but cant spot any fry in the tank. I heard that some females stop eating or will eat but then spit it back out - none of the females are doing this so what shall I look for? It would be great to get lots of guppy fry instead of rounding up the last few survivors
Thanks.

 

[kribensis12]

Post a pic and I will be able to tell.

 

[catherine896]

Ill get a couple in the morning and post them up then. Thanks.

 

[helterskelter]

try to get photo's at 3 or 4 angles quality is now problem as long as we can see the fish ok'ish.

 

[catherine896]

Ok, Ill try lol! Im no good with camera but Ill do my best!

 

[kribensis12]

Ok, Ill try lol! Im no good with camera but Ill do my best!

Thats all that counts.

 

[catherine896]

OK, these are the best pics I can get!

The 1 below is the 1 that stays near the surface alot.

Below, this female keeps hiding in under this plant and sitting on bottom.

So what do you think?
Thanks.

 

[helterskelter]

Their looking very plump that for sure. with in 10 days i would think before u see fry

Below, this female keeps hiding in under this plant and sitting on bottom.

She's not looking very happy from that pic, have u done any water chages?
she may have a gill infection, and due to lack of oxygen she hideing, but with that they tend to sit in upper corners and gulp air.

 

[catherine896]

The last water change we did was Friday night. I thought maybe there wasnt enough oxygen in the tank - I found out my air pump and have some more airline tubing and an airstone on the way so that will help oxygenate the water. Ive checked her over closely I couldnt see any problems on her anywhere, but would a gill infection be noticeable to look at anyway?

Thanks for replying

 

[mnbyiuopre]

I gill infection would be noticeable. The gills will be swollen and inflamed. Some symptoms are: fast breathing, loss in activity, gills turn to a reddish color, and I'm not sure but it may be possible to have them lose their appetite.

I'd also do another water change as it will help the pregnant fish.

 

[catherine896]

Well she does seem to be gulping alot, I put in the air stone today and they like that so hopefully that will help them. I cant see any red on the gills though, Ill check again and do a water change this weekend.
Oooh 1 more thing - how do I know when to put a female into the breeder box? I have a twin one coming through the post so we can get the fry from the guppies like that instead of being hopeful that there are survivors!
Thanks for your help!

 

[mommyof2bettas]

you shouldn't put guppies (or platys or swordtails or mollies) in breeder nets/traps because it stresses them out and they may not give birth.

 

[modaz]

Their looking very plump that for sure. with in 10 days i would think before u see fry

Below, this female keeps hiding in under this plant and sitting on bottom.

She's not looking very happy from that pic, have u done any water chages?
she may have a gill infection, and due to lack of oxygen she hideing, but with that they tend to sit in upper corners and gulp air.

helterskelter.....you told me that my high fin sunset would give birth 10 days later ..................................10 days later................................................................................................she did..........................thankyou for that advice even though i missed her drop cause i was sat in the pub and lost loads of fry but caught 3, which im more than pleased with

thanx again