If you found this article helpful, these may also interest you: Pro tip: If your guppy is pregnant and will give birth soon, youll need to know a little more about the babies. It could be labor-related complications like fry getting stuck in the birth canal or illnesses like guppy bent spine. She might eat everything in sight or next to nothing. As we said, guppies are extremely fertile fish and can breed when they are as young as one month old! Unfortunately, it is often after they are about a month old. An example of a premature fry is shown below. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know in order to help your guppy have a healthy and successful birth. Instead, it is better to remove the tankmates while leaving the female in the original tank. Our motive is to provide users with solutions that the user might be searching for, giving you all the information you need to ensure your fish lives a long, healthy, and happy life. Once youre able to tell that the female guppy fish is pregnant, consider moving her to a separate breeding tank. On average, the babies develop in the womb for about 21 to 31 days. Then, you can add the fry to the main tank after a week. They can do whatever they want, including keeping the pregnant females in the main tank. If youve noticed that your guppy is pregnant, youll want to make sure to give it its own secluded space. A Friend of mine has a guppy that took three months to finally give birth. Females tend to get pretty aggressive when theyre pregnant. Maintaining the appropriate conditions in an aquarium with one fish is so much easier. Do guppies like hard or soft water? Plants like Java moss, hornwort, and guppy grass provide plenty of coverage and security for fry. Make sure there is a lid on it so she doesnt jump out and put some plants there. In these cases, the fry may not be viable. After your female gives birth, separate her from the fry, either through the use of a mesh or another tank. When there are fewer fish in the tank, each individual fish will have a better chance of getting the food it needs. You can use a fish bowl, plastic container, or even a bucket if you dont have two tanks. . The female was about a week old when I got her as just a random fry. That is called the "gravid spot," and it will get darker and darker as her babies grow. Again, the age of the mother is a big determining factor. A Friend of mine has a guppy that took three months to finally give birth. Breeder boxes require precise timing. If they are not, conduct small and gradual water changes. At 68 F, the interval lengthens to some 35 days or more. Male fish are relentless towards a pregnant female and they will literally exhaust her to death. Guppy fish can quickly over stock your aquarium tank. Some aquarists put their guppy in a breeder box as soon as it starts showing signs of pregnancy. Chances are if you have a male and female guppy in your tank, you have a pregnant female! Fishtankadvisor.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. So, you want to know how to tell if your female molly is going to be pregnant? Several factors will determine the exact range. As she gets older and continues to mate, the female guppy fish usually has more and more babies with every pregnancy. There, I discussed how to care for pregnant guppies, how long they remain pregnant, how to identify signs of pregnancy, and a lot more. So you have a rough idea when to expect the babies. It gives the pregnant guppy a place to hide when it goes into labor, and once the babies are born, they will also instinctively hide in the plants. She may also have difficulty swimming and may breathe rapidly. You can also use a divider with tiny holes. For instance, as the pregnant guppy approaches the time to give birth, her appetite will probably lessen, and she will need smaller meals every day. Males wanting to mate will chase their chosen female around until they catch her. How many days is a guppy pregnant? As we move forward, I will show you the pros and cons of separating pregnant guppies from other fish. Alkalinity (KH) should be around 80-150 ppm and your pH 6.8-7.8 ppm. You can never know what will happen in the main tank. The presence of other fish can stress pregnant guppies, and this can cause problems during delivery. In Do Guppies Like Hard or Soft Water? Pregnant guppies require a nutritious diet. This is especially important for pregnant guppies, who need extra nutrients to support their growing babies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Several factors will determine the exact range. Keeping the fry separate from the community tank and the mother is important, as the mature fish may eat the fry. Being separated from the rest of the fish will reduce stress tremendously. Healthy ones will start swimming after sinking to safety. Let Your Guppy Give Birth step by step guide 90% works all the time. It would help if you prepared a breeding trap or a breeding box as soon as you see that your guppy fish is pregnant. This is easier to do in a separate tank where the guppy doesnt have to fight for or chase after food. If you do this, youll want to make sure to use the same water from the original fish tank that she is already used to. guppy fish are in the breeding trap or box, end the separation when the guppy fry is big enough. I have used plastic storage containers before, and they worked great. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Although, the female guppy may still be pregnant if the water temperature is too cold. . This ability has given the guppy another one of its common names: the millions fish. If the spot is dark and grows larger over time the guppy is pregnant. Guppies are generally pregnant for 21 to 31 days. Answer (1 of 5): If you wish to keep and raise the fry, get to your nearest petshop right away and buy a breeding separation tank (normally clear plastic box that floats around the top of your tank) and very carefully move the fry into this box. This is necessary as she may eat the fry, seeking the nourishment she needs to recover. It can take young guppies anywhere between six and eight weeks to grow to a size where they can survive in the main aquarium. How many babies youll end up with depends on many different factors. link to How Long Does It Take For a Guppy to Give Birth? That is why it is more challenging to keep the water clean in a community tank. Although guppies generally give birth after 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, you may not always know when they are going to give birth. That includes fluctuating pH, extreme temperatures, and a high ammonia concentration. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingplanet_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_11',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingplanet_com-medrectangle-4-0');Once a guppy becomes pregnant, male guppies (and other male fish in general) will begin to harass and chase her. Male guppies will typically chase a female around the aquarium when they are ready to mate. The first is a new aversion to food. Fine-leaf plants work well, too. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-portrait-1','ezslot_25',653,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-portrait-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-portrait-1','ezslot_26',653,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-portrait-1-0_1');.portrait-1-multi-653{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}So if your guppy has gone past day 30 and had not given birth do not worry. Furthermore, itll give the babies a fighting chance at survival. Your newborn fry will require very small-sized food at first. If your guppy is pregnant, shell have a bulge in her abdomen thats noticeable when compared to other guppies. But pregnant guppies are neither fast nor strong enough. It is best to separate the pregnant guppy but not remove it from the tank. This will help to make sure the water is fresh for the fry. Birth Tanks for Female Guppies If you werent able to notice that, the easiest way to spot a pregnant guppy is by looking at her. How Do You Know When A Guppy Is Going To Give Birth? Some people expect pregnant guppies to give birth in separate tanks or breeder boxes. The exact range will be determined by a number of things. This solution is temporary, though. As you can see, separation makes sense. If possible, move her to a separate tank, as other fish will eat the fry move the mother back to the main tank after the birth, as she will also attempt to eat her young. Hopefully these photos will help others to determine how far along their pregnant guppy is and when she might be due. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The mother will also be stressed and might not produce as many babies. This is why it is recommended to separate the pregnant guppy and put them in a breeder box until they have given birth. What have you found works best for a breeding tank setup? On average, the babies develop in the womb for about 21 to 31 days. Genetics, the availability of food, the mothers health, and a bit of luck will determine the exact number. Factors related to birthing complications and the external environment can cause a female guppy's death once she gives birth. Guppies are one of the most popular tropical fish, and they are known for their prolific breeding habits. Give her several small meals each day, and then just a small bit. A female guppy can store sperm from one insemination for up to a year and can become pregnant up to eight times from that single event! If you spot your molly has an extended stomach, then there is a chance she is pregnant. If you give it enough foliage and decorations, it can hide from potential predators long enough to give birth. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. To separate guppy fish, you will need two tanks: one for the pregnant fish and one for the rest of the fish. Now, I realize that stressful situations such as a new home can make a pregnant guppy withhold or abort her fry, but the group seems quite happy and they seem to be quite . When do you separate pregnant guppy? Read on, and you will learn how you can take . The babies develop in the womb for 21 to 31 days on average. It is very important to spot a pregnant guppy and know how to care for her and her babies. You dont need to do anything fancy; a simple set-up will work fine. After returning her to the community tank, remember that a female can become pregnant multiple times from a single insemination. Even the mother will attempt to eat her young. A pregnant Guppy may give birth to from 10 to 50 babies. I have found the easiest way to check the pH level of your aquarium water is to use a digital pH Meter. In addition to a good quality flake food, consider supplementing with the following live or frozen foods: A typical birth can take anywhere from two to six hours. I will cover every thing you need to know from signs your guppy is pregnant, how to care for your guppy and more. It would help if you did not separate the female only when she is about to give birth. Some aquarists have seen that it is better to leave the female in the main tank. That will cause less stress and remove breeding boxes from the equation. It has been 2 days in the new tank and she's eating well but swimming weirdly. If you wait too long, the fry (baby guppies) may be born in the main tank and become prey for other fish or get sucked into the filter. Excellent foods to feed your fry include: Guppy adults are from 0.6 to 2.4 inches in length. This changes in shape due to the contractions they will be having. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If they ran the risk of losing some or all the babies because of the premature labor induced by the breeder box, they might as well keep the pregnant fish in the community tank. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You should put a pregnant guppy in a breeder box roughly three weeks in to their pregnancy. Healthy guppies can survive in a tank with these species, especially if they have plenty of hiding places. It must be seen to know a guppy was pregnant. The gravid spot is a unique physical feature thats exclusive to livebearing females. If you want to learn more about breeding boxes for guppies take a look at this article I wrote about them. Just before the pregnant guppy gives birth, the belly might even look somewhat angular. Because female guppy fish can get pregnant multiple times from a single fertilization, simply removing her from a mixed-gender aquarium won't always guarantee that she won't get pregnant again. Change 25% of the water every week. Guppies are fun little fish to have in your aquarium. When a pregnant guppy is ready to give birth, she will seek a solitary space in the tank and remain still or slow. The average guppy pregnancy lasts between 3-5weeks depending on various conditions in the tank, the amount of fry she is carrying, and her age/size etc. If you want to maximize survival rates, there are some steps you need to take in preparation for the upcoming birth. Yes, you should separate pregnant guppy fish because if you dont, the father will eat the fry (babies). Isolate her for one to two days. You do not want leftover fish food floating around, so she should be able to finish what you give her in five minutes. Well, these freshwater fish are livebearers. As a result, they can eat larger foods right out of the womb. Luckily for us, a type of beneficial bacteria (BB) grows in the filter media. When a guppy is pregnant, she will develop a gravid spot near her tail. I will also list the water parameters you should aim for with pregnant guppies. At this time the female guppy will also hide because they are nervous and do not want to be disturbed. Change 25% of the tanks water two weeks after the fry are born. You want to control any algae or waste buildup that can impact the health of your fish. I've been raising aquarium fish for over ten years now, and I'm more than happy to share everything I've learned with you guys. The gestation period of a guppy is typically 21-30 days, but can vary considerably. When they are born, the guppy fry are curled into little balls. How do I stop my guppies from having babies? You will need to add a small amount of water from the main tank to the breeding trap or box daily. Guppies are pregnant from 21 days to 31 days on average. Should you separate the pregnant guppy fish from the rest of the tank? The actual birthing process is much shorter. At six weeks, they are sexually active. At this stage, she's nearly ready to deliver. Tetra Fish Care is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Aquarists should separate pregnant guppies. A separate birth space doesn't need to be set up. At the delivery time, you should put pregnant guppy in separate tank isolation her from other fishes in a community tank. So if you think your guppy fish ate their babies, dont worry too much. Older fish with some experience tend to have smoother pregnancies than those who are still young. In fact, a small 10-gallon aquarium will do. It will become more prominent and darker as those babies grow. Incorrect water parameters could delay the gestation period. When it does darken, this will prove that your guppy is pregnant. Below is what a gravid spot looks like. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Research has found that the female participates in the mating by squeezing and holding the gonopodium in place. Guppies are generally pregnant for 21 to 31 days. Once the babies are born, they will be very small and vulnerable. Then, Ill discuss separating the pregnant fish from the fry without causing stress. 2. Generally, guppy fry should be released in about two weeks. A female guppy will ideally give birth after 21 days, If she give birth before that her fry might not be fully developed. The guppy gestation period can be between 21 and 30 days, depending on the fish. Author Note: Guppy fish are vulnerable to attack when giving birth, so they seek out quiet areas to avoid issues from other fish. Its a slow process that takes several weeks. Fish are dangerous because they are opportunistic feeders. You can also cultivate infusoria. To keep those babies well-fed, you need to make sure you have the right food on hand. For a few days after the fry have been born I recommend you feed them up to 5 times a day. Their gravid spot, which is above their anal fin, will become darker and bigger. In some rare cases, gestation might last as long as 35 days. Yet, several factors will determine how many Fancy Guppy offspring your fish will give birth to. As they breed so fast, it is essential to ensure you have enough room in your aquarium to keep different generations of . A guppy tends to avoid eating shortly before birth. portal for users to find help on problems regarding fish keeping. The easiest sign your guppy is about to give birth is hiding in plants or ornaments in the tank. You have to separate the fish to keep them safe, or they may refuse to give birth. It would help if you separated pregnant guppy fish from the rest of the tank for several reasons: Other fish in the tank, even those of the same species, can be aggressive toward pregnant guppies. The appetite of the fish will change during pregnancy. Pregnant guppies require a temperature of 77 to 79 degrees F, pH of 7.0 to 7.6, and a hardness of 7 12 dGH. However, for many aquarists, breeder boxes are not worth the trouble. Nature: They are naturally opportunistic feeders, meaning that they take advantage of whatever food source is available at the moment.In some cases, this means preying on smaller species such as guppy fry. I have seen guppy fish miscarrying the eggs before males even fertilize them. A female guppy can get pregnant as early as two months after birth, although they usually mature at three months. In turn, you should see noticeable changes to the spots appearance. Overall, guppies reach maturity very rapidly and they can give birth to offsprings very frequently that's why they breed a lot. Why is my pregnant guppy not swimming? A female guppy can start to reproduce at the age of two to three months. The fry is often smaller and weaker as well. However, if the guppy fish are not well-fed, they are more likely to eat their babies. Once you see this sign, it is now time to separate the pregnant guppy. One of the alternative methods employed is keeping the guppy fry in a separate tank, but the method is considered more expensive and stressful. In severe cases, environmental factors can terminate the pregnancy altogether. Dont forget to test the water parameters. The best time to separate guppy fish is when the mother shows signs of being ready to give birth, such as a gravid spot (a dark patch on the belly where the eggs are), a swollen belly, or restless behavior. I will try to cover all the bases so you can decide what is best for your fish. This means that the female guppy gets pregnant from a male guppy and the egg inside develops into a fish. If you're wondering how long a guppy stays pregnant for, then the answer is incredibly simple! Breeder boxes are problematic because they are small. As soon as you are able to see these differences in your female guppy you will want to separate her as soon as possible. It usually takes a fry 20-30 minutes to fully digest and process a meal, which means the fry is ready to eat every 30 minutes. Age is a significant factor, too. Identifying Your Pregnant Guppy Boxy-shaped female ( source) This spot will darken as the pregnancy progresses, and it can be used to help estimate how far along she is. And once the guppy has done giving birth, you should take it out immediately. Alison has been interested in fish and aquariums for over five years. Towards the end of the pregnancy, guppies will also go through some involuntary actions. You could lose all the babies. }, Do Guppies Eat Mosquito Larvae? Then, I suggest that you add as many plants and decorations as possible. Shell become missing in action as she attempts to find a peaceful spot to give birth. When To Separate Pregnant Guppies? In some cases, the mother will deliver a few fry and then stop the delivery only to resume in a few days. This is why you should separate your female in to a breeding box as this will be less stressful for her as the males will not be able to chase her anymore. This fact is important because it impacts how the fish breed. Learning how to tell if a guppy fish is pregnant isnt challenging. Many aquarists end up with babies without any direct intervention whatsoever! The gestation period for female guppies is typically less than one month but can range from 21 to 31 days. The Gravid Spot black marks. It may be orange or dark in the beginning, but through the pregnancy it can change between these two. It would help if you separated pregnant guppy fish when they are ready to give birth, usually about 28 days after getting pregnant. It is important to remember that guppies can be pregnant for a range of time, usually lasting around one month (22 to 31 days gestation). Anything over that and you need to at least start with a water change. Some babies might even come out stillborn. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fishkeepingplanet_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingplanet_com-banner-1-0');Another option is to place her in a breeder box that hangs on the side of your original fish tank. Once she is fairly close to giving birth, her gravid spot will appear black. Younger fish giving birth for the first time tend to have fewer babies in the beginning. Females that are gravid (the fish version of pregnant basically) will develop large spots on their swollen abdomens. Instead, Guppy fish usually only eat one or two fry. Community aquariums are more difficult to maintain because you have to accommodate the needs of different species. One of the joys of owning them is the fact that they can create a lotof little baby guppies to fill up your tank and keep you Fishkeeping Planet is where we share tips, guides, and all sorts of information to do with fishkeeping. A typical female guppy will be pregnant for 21 to 30 days but this can vary considerably. Again, a few signs include a growing belly, gravid spot, and lethargy. But that passion can become a problem once the female is pregnant. Guppies can live for up to 10 years in captivity. The best way to protect both the pregnant guppy and all her fry is by separating her for the entire length of her pregnancy. Fish Keeping Guide is dedicated to covering what is important to you as a fish pet owner. [5] If you want the pregnant guppy to live in a separate tank, you must buy and prepare a separate tank. Your guppy will grow in girth considerably and may appear boxy shaped. If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The best time to separate pregnant guppy fish is when you see the gravid spot darken in color. Your water hardness should be around 75-125 ppm, however they can survive in softer water just prefer those ranges. As soon as you realize she is pregnant you will want to separate her immediately. The female guppy's belly will bulge If you are keeping female and male guppies together, most likely female guppies are pregnant, unless they are infertile. Once the fry has grown a little bit the other fish will not see them as food. The female will begin to lay eggs near the end of the period. But instead of taking out the mother, you should remove her tankmates. {How To Raise Mosquito Larvae}, Will Cloudy Water From Sand Hurt Fish? 1. . If you wait until she gives birth, separating her will cause more stress, and the guppy fry might not survive because of the lack of food. This is also referred to as New Tank Syndrome. The male guppy's anal fin will be long and pointy, while the females will be shorter and rounder. Now, there are no guarantees about the survival rate. It will start swim slowly, eat less and try to stay close to the heater. Its best to do this around two weeks before they give birth. Watch the gravid spot. Commercially, you can find them in a wide array of colors and sizes, giving them one of their common nicknames: the rainbow fish. Right before birth, the area is practically black. However, aquarists are not obligated to separate pregnant guppies. They do not participate in the rearing of their children. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-small-rectangle-1','ezslot_32',657,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-small-rectangle-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-small-rectangle-1','ezslot_33',657,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-small-rectangle-1-0_1');.small-rectangle-1-multi-657{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Below is a picture of a Senzeal breading box which I have used many times. Pay attention to that gravid spot! The most obvious sign your guppy is close to giving birth is that the shape of their belly changes to more square and also looks bulkier. If you dont want them to abort or reabsorb their offspring, you should move the females to a separate tank. A female guppy will be pregnant for about 25 - 35 days before giving birth. You might even be able to see the dark eyes of the baby fish through the belly of the mother guppy. The average gestation period for a pregnant female guppy is about 28 days. Place the pregnant guppy in the new tank and add some plants or decorations for her to hide in. When you separate a pregnant guppy from her original tank, its important to make sure you do it carefully. Learn more. Our content is not influenced by commissions. Thats the most apparent difference between a sick and pregnant guppy. [1] An adult guppy fish will swallow them whole. While they can exhibit some feisty behavior towards any fish that gets in her way, pregnant females tend to direct most of their anger at the males.