My guppy gave birth this morning in a fry trap. It was great because the babies slipped through into the bottom so mom couldn't eat them all. She did get a few though... Anyway, I read that swordtail fry are a little bigger than guppies so will they be too big to slip through the fry trap vent into the bottom? Mommy swordtail was preggers this morning but not anymore. I saw her on the bottom of the tank but never saw any fry. I guess they all got chomped. To prevent this, I'd like to use the fry trap next time. Will it be the right size? Also, I have a couple black swordtail females. How in the world will I know when they're ready to give birth? You can't see the fry's eyes through their bellies because it's black on black. For that matter, I really couldn't see them on my velvet swordtail either. I just noticed she looked ready to explode!!! Thoughts? Thanks!
2007-05-07 16:39:39 · 4 answers · asked by pookiemct07 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
From experience, a fry trap will work. It works perfectly. I bought a pregnant swordtail without knowing it and was surprised one morning to see a tiny fish swimming about. I went out bought a 2 way breeder (plastic cube with the downward double ramp with the space in between) and momma gave birth to 16 more fry. Congrats on your new guppies.
2007-05-07 17:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are right on both counts, the fry would probably be too large to get through the bars on the trap, but remember this, mom isn't the only fish that will eat the babies. If there are other adults in the tank they will eat them as soon as they are out of the trap.
As far as telling when those females are pregnant you just have to do exactly as you did, see that she is fat and heavy with babies and separate her then.
MM
2007-05-07 17:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a really cool lyre black Molly and lots of other fish as a kid. I really liked livebearers like you. I could tell my molly was pregnant only when she was so fat she was going to explode. Fry traps work great or having lots of grass at the bottom for them to hide in.
I do think its a bummer when you get excited about fish babies and then the fish in the tank eat them all including the mom.
2007-05-07 16:52:51 · answer #3 · answered by greyskymourning82 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why do no longer you merely purchase extra dense furry plastic flora ? then your tank will look extra useful and your fry would be lots extra in all probability to stay to tell the story. there is likewise a plastic plant referred to as "toddler hideout" or "breeding grass", get one. breeding traps suck
2016-10-04 13:21:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋