I am a first grade teacher who bought a fish tank with guppies for our class pets. I've read an awful lot on guppies and feel that my pregnant female is ready to give birth. She has been hanging around the bottom of the tank and hiding from the other fish for 3-4 days. She is very big and has that boxy look to her abdomen. But, I've also noticed that today she has been releasing a thin white stringy substance from what I assume is her birth canal. The strand is very thin but about 3 inches long. Any idea what this is and if it's anything to worry about? Is this a normal sign of guppy birth?
2006-12-08 09:27:28 · 14 answers · asked by lrands69 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Put the mother guppy in a separate tank if possible and provide some kind of floating plant for the babies to hide in or she will eat them.
If you are not able to put her in a separate tank, at least provide something for the babies to hide in. They are pretty good at keeping away from the big ones if you give them a chance.
The babies will be very, very tiny so be sure not to change the water until they are big enough for you to see them -- you don't want to throw them out!
2006-12-08 09:36:56 · answer #1 · answered by Marilyn E 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I raised guppies many years ago. The female is going to eat her own young if you don't place a lot of seaweed in the tank for them to hide in. When she is through giving birth you need to separate them from the other grown fish or there will be no babies left. You can also get more information by going to your local petshop (where you can also find the seaweed you'll need) and the owner there will be very helpful with further information for you. This is also a good way to get a lot of up to date info. to tell your class about, too.
2006-12-08 10:42:09 · answer #2 · answered by mesadesertlady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal, be sure to crumble the flake food smaller for the babies (aka fry) make sure there are plenty of plants and hiding places for the fry other fish love fry as food even momma. Do not use a trap they cause too much stress floating plants and plants in the bottom will do fine. The fry need hiding places until they can get bigger. If you want to seperate them I suggest getting another tank and scooping them out with a cup. nets will harm fry. They should do fine as long as they can hide. Good luck
2006-12-12 08:54:28 · answer #3 · answered by weebles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is just her poop! if you want to keep the babies, get a breeding box or bag, and float it in the tank with her inside, to prevent the babies from being eaten by the adults. However, then you will need another tank, since there are up to 3 dozen babies born. Your best bet is to get extra plants, either real or plastic and float them on the top of the tank so that any babies that aren't eaten immediately will have a chance by hiding in the plants. Usually at least 1 of any batch survives unless you aren't feeding the fish enough.
2006-12-08 09:33:11 · answer #4 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
unless you have lots of hiding places or a "fry trap" the other fish will eat the babies
you will also need special fry food which is like powder..
ultimately if some babies get eaten or die it gives you a chance to teach kids lessons about real life.. and death...
also ya.. like the other person said - guppies are a problem you eventually will have more than you want...
2006-12-08 09:34:52 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do what they do in the movies ... boil some water and get plenty of clean towels or sheets, rags, Bounty (the quicker picker upper) ... I forget!
You know, I think Guppies were doing fine before people started keepin' 'em in tanks. I'm sure she'll deliver her Guppiettes just fine!
2006-12-08 09:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes thats normal. but make sure u seperate the mother between the other fish, because the other fish will eat the babies
2006-12-08 09:30:56 · answer #7 · answered by daysterama 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would put her in a seperate container and then put the film that they sell at the pet store at the bottom of hte tank so that she doesn't eat the babies once they're born. (They fall to the bottom of the tank and she can't eat the eggs.) Sounds yuck but it does happen....congrats! :)
2006-12-08 09:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by kristina807 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes
2006-12-08 09:34:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get rid of it. Once these little guys start mulitplying they do not stop. soon you will have an army of these little guys.
2006-12-08 09:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by EternalBlueMemory 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋