Who is responsible?

[mlahey]

I have 2 f guppies and 1 male. My dark female had a batch of fry on Aug 12. A week later she was getting plump again. I was wondering 2 things.

1. When will she drop again....what is the gestation period?

2. Would it be my male or one she came in contact at the LFS? Or is it impossible to know?

Please advise!!

MCL

 

[wrs]

well how long ago did you buy her?

that will help answer the question

 

[GuppyDude]

odds r it wa the lfs male, iv had my female for 4 months now and my male is just now able to knock her up again if u just got her in the last onth its probably a lfs male

 

[mlahey]

I got her about 6-7 wks ago.....so I guess it was from the LFS?

 

[wrs]

well thats about 2 months, yeah? if she didnt have any before, it should be your male, because everymonth there are babies.

 

[Mamaschild]

Livebearers can store sperm for I think up to 6 months. However, they WILL use fresh sperm provided by a male INSTEAD of the stored sperm if they are fertalized within 24 or 48 (sorry, can't remember?) hours after releasing.

So, I guess the question becomes, was she with your male right after releasing her last batch of fry? If so, it's possible this batch will be his. Or, if he's "shooting blanks" (which can happen), she will continue to use the stored sperm.

The only way to guarantee your male is the father would be to get an immature female, who has never been with males (VERY difficult) or let her release AWAY from the male for 4-6 months. After she uses up all the stored, the father will be whoever get's with her next

HTH