How Long Does It Take For a Guppy to Give Birth? Learning how to tell if a guppy fish is pregnant isnt challenging. A female guppy will be pregnant for about 25 35 days before giving birth. 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. Male fish are relentless towards a pregnant female and they will literally exhaust her to death. Dont forget to test the water parameters. This area should be silver colour. Realizing that your guppy is pregnant can be exciting. Nutrition is important for a healthy mom and babies. A Friend of mine has a guppy that took three months to finally give birth. If they are not, conduct small and gradual water changes. Some babies are bound to die shortly after birth. He will pass a sperm packet to the females anal vent, located just behind the gravid spot. Fish are dangerous because they are opportunistic feeders. But where the shoe pinch is, how would you came to know that female guppy is about to give birth. This usually happens 24-48 hours before the fish gives birth. It will become darker and larger as the babies grow. 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. To measure the pH, ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites, I personally use the API Water Test Kit (link to Amazon). The most obvious way to tell if your guppy is pregnant is to look if the guppy has a gravid spot, If it does this is a clear indication the guppy is pregnant. It'll take a couple weeks for a gravid spot (a spot near the butt of the guppy) to appear darker. . The pregnant guppy will need to be isolated for minimum 2 days and up to 2 weeks and the conditions in a bowl will not be good enough for a pregnant guppy. It might be difficult to spot a pregnant guppy immediately after getting pregnant, but the signs will start to appear within the first week. In this manner, she will get free space to give birth. If you already have a small tank set up with clean, safe water, simply scoop the pregnant guppy with a fishnet and place her in it. Author Note: As you get close to the end of the gestation period, you may even see tiny dots in the gravid spot. Let Your Guppy Give Birth step by step guide 90% works all the time. Now that you understand what it takes to assist her with this process, you should be able to see your pregnant guppy have a successful bunch of offspring. 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. Incorrect water parameters could delay the gestation period. The easiest sign your guppy is about to give birth is hiding in plants or ornaments in the tank. How to Care for Baby Guppies (with Pictures) - wikiHow Pet The gestation period of guppy fish is just 21 to 30 days, so stay alert there. link to How Long Does It Take For a Guppy to Give Birth? Buying different types of fish food for each specific fish can be costly and confusing. They can do whatever they want, including keeping the pregnant females in the main tank. 1. If you observe any unhealthy or stillborn fry sinking to the bottom, remove them from the tank as soon as possible. At 68 F, the interval lengthens to some 35 days or more. Pregnant fish tend to gain a lot of unwanted attention from other fish in the same tank. Another reason to separate your pregnant guppy is to protect the fry upon birth. If you have neon tetras in your aquarium and extra betta food lying around, youve probably thought about How Long Does It Take For a Guppy to Give Birth? Healthy fry also tend to swim upwards in the tank. While a guppy's initial pregnancy may only last a few weeks, you should know that your female guppy may get pregnant again . The gestation period can be between 35 and 45 days. . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Between 40 and 80 babies are usually given birth to in an uncomplicated labor affair. The Gravid Spot black marks. There are a few signs which you can look out for which include. While a separate tank is easiest, there are mesh pieces you can purchase to hang either in the birthing tank or community tank to keep the fry safe. First, you can try separating the two fish by putting them in different tanks. Change 25% of the water every week. The male guppy will deposit sperm in to a female guppy, the female guppy will then store the sperm to use over the course of up to eight months. They usually give birth between 3 and 4 weeks into their pregnancy, but you can't always tell exactly when. That is why it is more challenging to keep the water clean in a community tank. Stage 5. Look under your guppys tail, toward the back part of the stomach, and near the anal fin for a dark spot, also known as the gravid patch. 5 Reasons Guppies Die After Giving Birth. Guppies are pregnant from 21 days to 31 days on average. Thats because males will often keep trying to mate with her even after shes pregnant. Let us know in the comments below! guppy fish are in the breeding trap or box, end the separation when the guppy fry is big enough. Guppies are one of the most popular tropical fish, and they are known for their prolific breeding habits. Do you have any questions about separating pregnant guppy fish? Install a sponge filter to keep the water clean. Like most pregnant creatures, female guppy fish will balloon in size as the pregnancy progresses. Many breeder boxes have slanted bottoms for the fry to fall through after leaving the womb. Pregnant Guppy Fish: How To Tell & What To Do - Aquarium Source As a last resort, powdered fish food is adequate as well. Need some advise. Many aquarists end up with babies without any direct intervention whatsoever! You might even be able to see the dark eyes of the baby fish through the belly of the mother guppy. Although, the female guppy may still be pregnant if the water temperature is too cold. For a few days after the fry have been born I recommend you feed them up to 5 times a day. Some aquarists put their guppy in a breeder box as soon as it starts showing signs of pregnancy. If they do eat, you might see them spit the food back out later. You may mistake the quick action as aggression at first, but once you are familiar with it, you will recognize it as mating behavior. Once the female is alone in the tank, consider adding some foliage. This solution is temporary, though. If you have a male guppy that is attacking a pregnant guppy, there are a few things you can do to try to stop the aggression. My guppy just unexpectedly gave birth, and I am not prepared - Quora Chances are if you have a male and female guppy in your tank, you have a pregnant female! Its high in protein and fat, so prepare a batch just before the mother gives birth. Mating is a quick process that most aquarists dont even notice, and the lucky ones that do tend to mistake it for aggression. Then, I suggest that you add as many plants and decorations as possible. Why does my guppy still look pregnant? - Mom and baby Should I Separate My Male And Female Guppies? Female guppies are already a bit plump as it is, but size increases due to pregnancy are a bit different. During their pregnancy they will grow and birth between 5 and 30 fry. Well, it has some notable disadvantages, including: Moving pregnant guppies from the main tank will induce stress. 1. But instead of taking out the mother, you should remove her tankmates. This is especially important for pregnant guppies, who need extra nutrients to support their growing babies. She will breathe rapidly, often at the surface. Baby guppy fish are considerably larger than most fish that hatch from eggs. This is why you should only use a breeding box towards the end of the 4th week of pregnancy. My name is Gilad, a 29-year-old fish fanatic from Israel. You can also end the separation when you no longer want to care for the fry or if the fry is causing problems in the main tank. Guppy fish are popular livebearers with a penchant for constant breeding when conditions are right. Birth. If you are keeping female and male guppies together, most likely female guppies are pregnant, unless they are infertile. {Best Ways To Clear It Up}, Are Spaghetti Worms Harmful To Humans {Are They Poisonous? Once she is fairly close to giving birth, her gravid spot will appear black. In the best practice, set up two tanks: one for the fry to be born in and another to let mom recover in for one to two days before you return her to the community tank. My pregnant guppy is swimming sideway ever since I transferred it to another tank to separate from the other guppies. This gravid patch increases in size as the pregnancy progresses. This usually happens 24-48 hours before the fish gives birth. How Long Is A Guppy Fish Pregnant? - Tiny Fish Tank Will Neon Tetras Eat Guppy Fry? A Comprehensive Guide Just before the pregnant guppy gives birth, the belly might even look somewhat angular. }, Do Guppies Eat Mosquito Larvae? Another sign the fry is healthy is that they are active as soon as they have been born. A female guppy can start to reproduce at the age of two to three months. In fact, they actually give birth to live fish. Place the pregnant guppy in the new tank and add some plants or decorations for her to hide in. Pregnant Guppy Fish Care | LoveToKnow Pets Temperature and light are important. The probability of pregnancy is high when you keep female and male guppies together. It is best to separate the pregnant guppy but not remove it from the tank. The aggression usually starts with the females chasing the males. This is necessary as she may eat the fry, seeking the nourishment she needs to recover. Yeah, I know it seems like a waste of money and all the investment for a new tank and cycle, but in the long run, it is worth it. Preparing a separate tank or area for the fry to be born will protect them. I have found the easiest way to check the pH level of your aquarium water is to use a digital pH Meter. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fishkeepingplanet_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingplanet_com-medrectangle-3-0');If this is your first time dealing with a pregnant guppy, you may not be sure when the right time to separate it from the others. Several factors will determine the exact range. The babies develop in the womb for 21 to 31 days on average. When you separate a pregnant guppy from her original tank, its important to make sure you do it carefully. Guppies Gravid Spot As the guppy gets closer to birth, she grows very large and takes on a boxy appearance. Even though their appetite tends to fade over time, they still need food. Everything from the water temperature to the availability of food will come into play. 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. Watch the gravid spot. So if you think your guppy fish ate their babies, dont worry too much. Yes, you should separate guppy fish when pregnant to protect the mother and her babies from being eaten by other fish, prevent the mother from getting stressed out and eating her babies, and give the babies a better chance of survival. Usually, a female guppy will be pregnant for one month before giving birth to the fry. Then, you can add the fry to the main tank after a week. I have seen guppy fish miscarrying the eggs before males even fertilize them. If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. guppy fry might not survive because of the lack of food. {6 Reasons Why Guppies Blow Bubbles}, link to Do Guppies Like Hard or Soft Water? Do not separate her for longer than this time as the isolation can further stress your fish. If it progresses, females might even resort to fin nipping! As with us humans guppy will have spells when they feel sick, when this happens they will skip meals. Should you separate the pregnant guppy fish from the rest of the tank? If you have identified that your guppy is pregnant you will want to know how long are guppies pregnant before giving birth. When do you separate pregnant guppy? Stress can also delay the process of birthing the young guppies. Normally, a pregnant guppy often can give birth to from 5 to 30 fry. The pregnant female will start looking for places to hide as well. The gestation period of a guppy is typically 21-30 days, but can vary considerably. (Before & After Giving Birth), Guppy Pregnancy Stages: A Full Guide With Pictures, https://guppyexpert.com/guppy-fish-growth-stages/, https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-Baby-Guppies, https://fishtankadvisor.com/pregnant-guppy/, https://smartaquariumguide.com/best-guppy-tank-mates/, https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/breeder-box. You should wait for at least 20 days after noticing the female guppy had developed the dark black spot near the fins. 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. Again, a few signs include a growing belly, gravid spot, and lethargy. Female Guppy Behavior Before Giving Birth - GuppyExpert.com Fine-leaf plants work well, too. Once the guppies have been separated, they can be kept in separate tanks to prevent breeding. 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. It lives on converting ammonia to nitrite. Guppies are fun little fish to have in your aquarium. Below is a picture I took of one of my pregnant guppies. You may notice your female guppy is not as active, tending to stay in one location. This is easier to do in a separate tank where the guppy doesnt have to fight for or chase after food. You dont need a big tank to separate the female. The female guppy will try to swim away from the males until they are exhausted and are unable to, it is at this time the mating takes place. They do not want the fish to spend their gestation period in a community tank, surrounded by other creatures. She may also have difficulty swimming and may breathe rapidly. The male guppys passion is good because it compels the males to inseminate multiple females, increasing the number of fry your female guppies will generate. All of the small male guppies are from the same litter of fry (they were in a separate baby tank until they grew), and when introduced to a new larger established tank the younger and smaller . It has been 2 days in the new tank and she's eating well but swimming weirdly. I have two guppies right now who are maturing. The pregnant Guppy will begin seeking areas to hide as well. She will also hide and distant herself from other fish. Guppies are known as livebearers. Once separated, you should keep your pregnant guppy away from all other fish until she gives birth. When To Separate A Pregnant Guppy - Fishkeeping Planet if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helpusfish_com-sky-3','ezslot_29',672,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-sky-3-0');A guppy breading box is a small container that sits inside your aquarium and quarantines off the pregnant female from other fish. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. The most obvious sign your guppy is in labor is a square bulge just below her gills. Guppy fish usually eat their babies accidentally because these fry are small enough to fit in the guppys mouth. For example, many aquarists are unsure whether they should separate the pregnant guppy from other fish. If you do plan on breeding them, learn how to care for your pregnant female guppy throughout her pregnancy properly. Guppies don't lay eggs. The optimum temperature for fastest development of the brood inside of a female is between 77 F and 80 F and development will take approximately 4 weeks in the average live-bearer. The notion of purchasing a separate tank for a pregnant fish or even installing breeder boxes and dividers wont appeal to them. But a single pregnant fish in a sizable tank wont present a challenge. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. Below are signs that you can look out for to tell if your guppy is pregnant. To separate guppy fish, you will need two tanks: one for the pregnant fish and one for the rest of the fish. In these cases, the fry may not be viable. Guppies can live for up to 10 years in captivity. The gestation period for guppies is from 21 to 30 days (22 to 26 days is average) depending on the tank's temperature, cleanliness, and the female's health. It can take young guppies anywhere between six and eight weeks to grow to a size where they can survive in the main aquarium. Yet, several factors will determine how many Fancy Guppy offspring your fish will give birth to. How to Take Care of Pregnant Guppy | Aquarium Fish City I volunteer at my local fish shop and I created this site to offer tips and advice on the fish I care for. Should I remove the mother guppy after giving birth? When I had a lot of females pregnant, I used to separate the females because the males would harass them, by jabbing them in there sides, so I put the males in one tank and the females in another. Author Note: An impressive fact is that guppy fish can get pregnant pretty quickly after giving birth. Female guppies are in labor for between 2 and 8 hours. At the very least, you have to ensure that the food is available if they want it. If you plan on simply keeping guppies for their look, then consider keeping a group of males only. Commercially, you can find them in a wide array of colors and sizes, giving them one of their common nicknames: the rainbow fish. It could be labor-related complications like fry getting stuck in the birth canal or illnesses like guppy bent spine. Otherwise, they will keep chasing down the female. Can I Put 2 Pregnant Guppies Together - Breed Avenue Many pregnant female guppies start to exhibit behavioral changes, too. However, aquarists are not obligated to separate pregnant guppies. The growth of guppy fry can be stunted if you keep them in a breeding box for too long. That being said, people that support the practice of separating pregnant guppies have several good reasons for doing so, including: The primary objective of separating pregnant guppies is to protect the fry. Gestation can last up to 35 days in certain rare circumstances. Pregnant Guppy | For the water conditions make sure the water temperature is between 72-82 F (22-28 C) this is the perfect temperature for guppy fry to thrive in. This ability has given the guppy another one of its common names: the millions fish. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Why is my Guppy Fish Swollen? - GuppyExpert.com How To Stop Guppies From Eating Their Babies (3 Perfect Ways) - JalJeev Sometimes things can take a little longer than they should and a female can be giving birth for up to 24 hours before she gives birth. Pregnant female guppies look for a sheltered spot to give birth about a day before giving birth. When it is close to her time to give birth, she may look like she is pushing and may have an arch to her back. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',640,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'helpusfish_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',640,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpusfish_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-640{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}I will now go in to each one below, The gravid spot is located at the bottom of the guppies belly. When a pregnant guppy is ready to give birth, she will seek a solitary space in the tank and remain still or slow. In some rare cases, gestation might last as long as 35 days. The gestation period is around 28 days. This spot will darken as the pregnancy progresses, and it can be used to help estimate how far along she is. . When Should I Put My Guppy In The Breeder Box? {Guppy Fry Care} But pregnant guppies are neither fast nor strong enough. Furthermore, itll give the babies a fighting chance at survival. You should separate the females from any males in the tank which are related to them to help prevent inbreeding amoungst them- the more you let each generation inbreed with each other, the . By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. Take care to monitor the water temperature, as fluctuations can stress your female and impact the chances of a successful birth. I will try to cover all the bases so you can decide what is best for your fish. Its the darkened skin of the womb located just behind the anal fin.