Why Won't My Guppies Give Birth?

[Scally]

I have quite a few female guppies who seem to have been big and fat for ages - they are obviously carrying babies but don't seem to want to give birth. They are in a 90 litre species tank, temperature is 27 degrees, Loads of real plants and hiding places. What else can I do? I have previously had successful births but these have been fat for longer than they should.
Any suggestions?

 

[chesterscot]

is it possible they are dropping small amounts of fry at a time and their been eaten maybe?
scot

 

[Colin_T]

I had a group of black mollies that were really fat for months and never dropped any fry. One day I treated the tank for camallanus hair worms and the fish went really skinny. A few months later they were fat again but dropping fry. Possibly try deworming the tank.

 

[Scally]

is it possible they are dropping small amounts of fry at a time and their been eaten maybe?
scot

That could be so - I have to go to work so can't watch them all day!

I had a group of black mollies that were really fat for months and never dropped any fry. One day I treated the tank for camallanus hair worms and the fish went really skinny. A few months later they were fat again but dropping fry. Possibly try deworming the tank.

Thanks for that - I actually did de-worm them with levamisole a few weeks ago and they seemed to recover from the worms but still fat!

 

[Colin_T]

yuo could try doing a daily water change for a couple of weeks and see if that encourages them to give birth. But generally the females will give brith when the fry have developed sufficiently. If the females are stressed out they will hold the young inside themselves and can actually re-absorb them back into their body. This happens to the eggs and not the fully developed fry. Maybe increase the feeding regime and feed the adults 3-4 times a day. Feed them a varied diet.

 

[naomilovesherfish]

hi water changes help to induce them and a good diet helps i feed mine flake,bloodworm,tubifex,brineshrimp and daphina, if they are not hiding yet or not coming up to feed as regular they are obviously not ready yet. how long do you think they have been pregnant, it can take 3-6 weeks depending on how many fry they are carrying and condition of your water. you got any pics??

this is mine she is about 1-2weeks pregnant picture doesnt do much justice

naomi
xxx

 

[Scally]

yuo could try doing a daily water change for a couple of weeks and see if that encourages them to give birth. But generally the females will give brith when the fry have developed sufficiently. If the females are stressed out they will hold the young inside themselves and can actually re-absorb them back into their body. This happens to the eggs and not the fully developed fry. Maybe increase the feeding regime and feed the adults 3-4 times a day. Feed them a varied diet.

Thanks Colin, I will change the water more often and get some treats for them to eat and hopefully I will be overrun with baby guppies - Ahhhhhh!

 

[Scally]

hi water changes help to induce them and a good diet helps i feed mine flake,bloodworm,tubifex,brineshrimp and daphina, if they are not hiding yet or not coming up to feed as regular they are obviously not ready yet. how long do you think they have been pregnant, it can take 3-6 weeks depending on how many fry they are carrying and condition of your water. you got any pics??

this is mine she is about 1-2weeks pregnant picture doesnt do much justice

naomi
xxx

Hi Naomi
I haven't got any pic's but they are way fatter than yours. I think that they must be dropping a few at a time as I found three stray babies, I've now got them in my breeding tank, they are so sweet. Must try and get some pics to put on line.