I have 3 females and 2 males. 2 of the females were pretty spunky when I first got them but now they aren't begging for food with the rest of them when I feed them. They stay at the bottom and pick at the gravel where the food floats down instead. I'm worried that they won't get enough food to eat this way. Also the two males constantly pester the females, especially during feeding time and I'm afraid they aren't letting them eat. Is it normal for them to constantly harrass the females like this? They seem to prefer the 2 females that aren't eating much for some reason, could the harrassment be why they aren't responding when I put food in the tank? None of the females are responding to their wooing and run from them every time..
2007-05-05 04:42:57 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I don't think they are pregnant, two of the females are nearly transparent and I don't see a graved spot. I've only had them a few days and the petshop kept the females and males seperate. So unless they were pregnant when they came from the breeder I doubt it.
2007-05-05 05:04:22 · update #1
You should get a few more females. Among other things, the ones you have are probably stressed by all the attention they're getting from the males.
I'd also check your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. If these get too high, fish will become lethargic. I've also found (from a breeders website) they like having some salt in their water - about 1 tablespoon for every 5 gallons of water. This will also help it there's an ammonia or nitrite problem - it keeps their uptake by the fish. Guppies are like mollies - they can be gradually acclimated to full seawater conditions, so that amount of salt won't hurt them. It's best to use salt without iodine or anti-caking agents (aquarium, kosher, pickling, or canning salt).
2007-05-05 15:34:21 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is, you have too many males for the number of females you have. It is often best to keep 2-3 females for every male you have. the males WILL pester the females constantly, trying to get breeding opportunities. IF there are more females for them to divide their effort between, it will be less stress per female. Like I said, for 2 males, you should have at least 4 females, if not 5 or 6. It could also be water quality which is slowing down your females, check your levels, and make sure you water is around 78F. Hope this helps. Good luck!
2007-05-05 12:25:38 · answer #2 · answered by lmaryott4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to many males and not enough females in your tank, you really need to get more females, it is 3females to every male not 5 or 6 as the other answer said, then you'll find that the males will leave the females alone, if you don't get more you'll find that the males pester them that much that you'll end up losing them, they arn't bullying them it's just there breeding woes.
2007-05-05 15:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by sawy75 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to many males and not enough females in your tank, you really need to get more females, it is 3females to every male not 5 or 6 as the other answer said, then you'll find that the males will leave the females alone, if you don't get more you'll find that the males pester them that much that you'll end up losing them, they arn't bullying them it's just there breeding woes.
Hope this helps. x
2007-05-05 13:05:14 · answer #4 · answered by diamond_dolphin2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My female guppies eat off the bottom also. This is normal. Their is plenty of food in the tank for them. Some time if the females are prego the males will pick on them or even want to mate with them. This is normal.
Are your females prego? If you want to keep the fry get a breeder box.
For more information on Guppies go to my web site. Read my blog.
2007-05-05 11:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by sportyconnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋