Am New To This, Can Anyone Help ?

[nrritchieoct02]

I recently bought a nice fish tank and a few wee nice to ifsh to home inside it. A few male guppies and wee fish similar. But the other day a went back to get a few more wee fishes, just pointing out the ones i liked not bothering to see what sex they were ( not that a was really bothering anyway). When a got home a discovered that a had 1 female guppie in with half a dozen males to which the males are quite excited about as they keep chasing her around trying to u know what with her. I have noticed a black spot near her bottom but not quite sure if shes pregnant or not. Plus she keeps throwing herself on the gravel as if trying to get a wee scratch or something. Can anymore shed some light on her behaviour( the throwing herself at the gravel) and how to really tell if shes pregnant and what to do and other knowledge about guppies would be extemely welcome.

Thanks, Nic

 

[nukeonekitty]

That's why you always should do research first.

 

[nrritchieoct02]

well its nice to see that the people using the forum are sooo friendly anyways. I did ask for knowledge not sarcasum.

Anyways , despite what some may think, i have read and read and better read before a bought, but there is always someone out there that has other insight to share than what just comes out of a book. !!!!!!!

 

[dwarfgourami]

Scratching herself against the gravel could be due to parasites, or an infection (keep an eye out for other symptoms). It could also denote a problem with the water (what are your readings for ammonia and nitrites?). In the present case, though, it may simply be a stress reaction- not sure I would like to be in her place. It is difficult to judge about her pregnancy simply from the presence of the gravid spot, they have that when they are born, but it expands in pregnancy. If she is not pregnant, she soon will be, which is when things will get really difficult. Under the present circumstances, she will have no chance of a rest and they may well end up hounding her to death.
Is there any way in which you could separate them? With a tank divider maybe, or set up a small tank for her? Of, if all else fails, find her another home before pregnancy is too advanced?

 

[juicebox]

hello nrritchieoct02,

six males and one female is not a good ratio. the males will likely harrass the female and might even start fighting other males. typically, you want to have more females than males. however, your tank does not seem like it has been cycled, so it'd probably be best not to add any more fish.

best of luck.

 

[nrritchieoct02]

thanks for the replys not quite sure by what is ment when talking about cycles thou. just been talking with the hubby there, said we would but more females but need to wait a bit to let the filter catch up with the new fish we bought yest.

 

[Cheffi]

thanks for the replys not quite sure by what is ment when talking about cycles thou. just been talking with the hubby there, said we would but more females but need to wait a bit to let the filter catch up with the new fish we bought yest.

Hi and welcome. Try reading this thread, it will explain all about cycling

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

 

[juicebox]

cycling deals with developing the bacteria that will process your fish's waste. fish waste has ammonia in it; this is a very harmful chemical. there are bacteria that will eat this ammonia and turn it into nitrite, which is also a toxic chemical, but less harmful than ammonia. there is another type of bacteria that will eat the nitrite and turn it into nitrate, which is a completely harmless chemical. since you have fish all ready in your tank, you will just have to wait for the bacteria to develop on their own. it can take a very short time or a very long time for them to develop. you can buy a water test kit that'll tell you how much ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is in your water.

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

Do you think you could return a few of the males and replace them with females? I do believe 2-3 females to one male is what is recomended. The extra females balance out the males 'advances' and this way he doesn't harass any one girl to death. Silly boys! I'm not sure how many fish you have right now, but that is what I would suggest to keep everyone happy. And definately read up on cycling ;-} Welcome!