How can I tell if one of my neon tetras is pregnant?

Question

I noticed recently it is getting fatter than the other fish. So how can I tell if it is just fat/sick? Do they birth live fish or lay eggs? HELP!!!

Answer 1

Tetras are egglayers and fertilization of the eggs takes place outside of the fishes body. Your fish is most likely a female who is full of eggs. I don't think she's sick unless her scales are sticking out like a pinecone, in which case it could be dropsy. The eggs/fry will rarely survive in a community tank because they are usually eaten by other fish before you see them.

Answer 2

Good question! I have a neon in with a few zebra fish, and one of the zebras is fat and has been for many months--no little ones yet, though. It doesn't look like that one eats more than the others, too.

Hope you get the answer to this one, 'cause I"m curious, too.

Answer 3

neons are egg layers. They will have a distended belly after eating. Also the females have a more rounded body.

Answer 4

neon tetras are egglayers, and the eggs and the fry need certain conditions to hatch, grow and survive

neons and tetras are very easy to sex, since the females are always rounder then the males, the males are very slim

here are 2 links for sexing as well as breeding them
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/how_to_sex_your_fish.html
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/breeding_characins.html


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB