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When you are new at fish keeping it is important to understand the behavior of pregnant guppy before giving birth.
Similarly, other questions may come to your mind like:
–>How do I know when my female guppy is about to give birth
–>What steps to take before the birth of guppy fry
In general, guppies swim all around the tank, eat regularly, and play with tank mates, but when female guppy become pregnant, changes in hormones bring the behavioral swing.
Behavior change in guppies indicates mother guppy is going to give birth which I will discuss in detail.
Table of Contents
Pregnancy Signs – Female Guppy Is About To Give Birth
Female guppies give birth to fry after 25-30 days of mating with male guppies.
So you can not know the exact date on which female guppy releases the fry, however, there are important signs indicating your guppy is about to give birth.
1. Darker Gravid Spot
You may wonder what is the gravid spot and what is its importance in the pregnancy of guppy fish.
So, a gravid spot is a dark color spot on a female guppy behind the anal fin.
There is a misconception that a gravid spot means female guppy is pregnant but the truth is gravid spot indicates that the guppy is female and has become mature.
As the gravid spot enlarges and becomes darker, it shows that the pregnant guppy is about to release the fry.
The reason behind the change in the size and color of spot is the baby guppies are growing in guppies womb.
2. Box Shape Belly
Sometimes you may ask what does belly of female guppy look like before giving birth.
What are the physical changes you should monitor during the pregnancy?
As the pregnancy progresses, the size of the belly increases and becomes round.
When close to delivery, you may be able to see developing babies as the gravid spot grows large.
The stomach of a pregnant guppy takes the shape of a box.
3. Behavioral Shift
You should also know how do pregnant guppies act before giving birth.
There will be a change from normal to stressed behavior of guppy ready to give birth.
When a female guppy look like giving birth, she will isolate herself by hovering near surface or staying in the corner of the tank.
Female guppy will hide in plants to avoid contact with tank mates.
The mother guppy behaves aggressively with male guppies trying to mate with her.
In the last stage of pregnancy, the female guppy feels uneasy and the swimming pattern is uncertain due to the growing size of guppy fry.
Why Pregnant Guppies Isolate and How To Overcome?
Your pregnant guppy has stopped social interaction and is isolated to a quiet place, the simple reason is your very pregnant guppy is about to give birth.
To overcome this, try to set up hiding spots such as caves, rocks and plants.
This reduces stress in pregnant guppy and provides a calm environment for birthing.
4. Refusal to eat
Pregnant guppies become inactive as they approach the near birthing process.
As the guppies belly space is occupied by fry, the guppy does not feel like eating.
In cold water female pregnant guppy comes under stress and won’t eat, so use an aquarium heater to warm the water.
When you offer the same type of food she may refuse to eat. Try to give different food.
5. Heavy Breathing and Contraction
Female guppy ready to give birth shows contraction and lifts the tail.
When your female guppy is ready to release fry, her breathing will be fast as the oxygen level decreases.
Most of the time these are signs of guppy giving birth the next day.
Poor water parameter lacks oxygen in water, which will affect the pregnant guppy.
Lower the light to calm down the stress level of your female guppy.
How To Prepare For Guppy Fry Birth?
Now you know when a female guppy is about to give birth, so let’s make a plan for the arrival of newborn fry.
The key steps to ease guppy birthing process are:
– setting up a breeding tank
– protecting guppy fry from other fish
– taking care of baby guppies.
Proper preparation of the birthing process helps female guppy survive before or after giving birth.
How To Setup A Guppy Breeding Tank?
The first preparation for a female guppy to give birth is to set up a breeding tank.
The best way to safeguard your mother guppy and fry is to separate pregnant guppy to a breeding tank.
The birthing tank always helps in relaxing stressed pregnant guppy and also ensures the survival of guppy fry.
To set up a perfect breeding tank use a good filter, stable water temperature, maintain water parameters, hiding spots, and proper oxygenation.
The above steps will take care of mother guppy and fry.
How to Save Guppy Fry in the Main Tank?
If you take proper measures then you can consciously protect the guppy fry in the main tank.
You can provide plenty of hiding spots and adding live plants will help newborn fry hide from other tank mates.
Adult fish should be feed regularly so they don’t eat guppy fry.
The breeding box is super convenient for safe delivery of baby guppies. So separate pregnant guppy when you see she is about to give birth.
If you don’t like the breeding box then you can install an aquarium divider. This helps guppy fry to stay in the main tank without any fear of being eaten up by adult fish.
These efforts act as a protection shield for guppy fry and even help in quick growth.
How to Care for Baby Guppies?
When a female guppy is done giving birth, move her back to the main tank.
The next thing is to take care of newborn fry.
The baby guppies are very delicate, so how you are taking care ensures their well-being.
– Provide a separate tank or ample of hiding spots in the main tank to save from adult fish.
– Set up peaceful environment for baby guppies by weekly water changes, cleaning the tank, maintaining ideal water parameters and temperature.
– In a day, feed nutritious food 4 to 5 times in small quantities.
This care results increases survival of your guppy fry.
Conclusion
Knowing and understanding various signs of guppy ready to give birth is important for the successful delivery of fry.
Dark gravid spot, box-shaped belly, changes in physical behavior, erratic swimming, not eating, and breathing rapidly are signs your female guppy is about to give birth.
Providing hiding spots and keeping the optimum water parameter will create a stress-free environment for your pregnant guppy resulting in easy delivery of fry.
If you have any question please feel free to post your question in the comment box.
FAQS
1. Do guppies give birth at night?
Yes, guppies can give birth at any time.
2. How Long Do Guppy Fry Need To Be Separated?
You need to separate the guppy fry for about 6 to 8 weeks, till it grows up to 2 inches and does not fit in the mouth of adult guppy.
3. Do mother guppies eat their fry?
Yes, mother guppies eat their fry as they see fry as their snack.
Happy Guppy Keeping!
I am Alexa with 5+ years of experience in fishkeeping industry with expertise in taking care of guppies, aquariums, and dealing with diseases. Moreover, I am lovely wife, dedicated mom, and passionate guppy fish keeper. If you are into guppy fish keeping like me, you are in the right place. Explore the blog, ask questions, and enjoy guppy fishkeeping journey with GuppyAdvisor.
