Birthing Process and Determining Parents

Guppy Mama

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Sep 11, 2003
Messages
110
Reaction score
0
Location
California
I have two females and one male guppy in a 10 gallon tank. Both females are/were pregnant. I awoke yesterday to 12 baby guppies. What I can't figure out is which female had the babies...they both still have dark gravid spots and are plump, plump, plump. I'd expect that they'd stay round a while after having babies, but the dark spot:

Do females ever give birth in shifts...like have some babies and then get stressed or tired and then some more many hours later? I am curios why both still have a really dark spot on their tummy.


As for determining which fish is the Mama, since they still look equally pregnant, are guppy babies born with the exact same fin shapes that change later...what I mean is one of my females and the male don't have that triangular dorsal fin...it's they have that flowy rectangular kind that looks like a banner. Would thier offspring show this fin shape at birth or would they grow into that shape later? I was thinking of trying to see the dorsal fins witha magnifying glass to see which female had the babes.

Thank you so very much for answering my questions! I really appreciate any input! :wub:
 
hi there guppy mama :D

Congratulations on your new babies.

Some of my females don't seem to ever lose their round look :rolleyes: bit like people maybe - generally though mine seem to give birth over a 24hr period - haven't had anything longer than that

The fins on the babies don't usually develop until later - at birth they all look alike - a bit like the tails on the males - you start to see a dash of colour at 3 - 4 wks which gradually develops as they grow. The fins and tail keep growing and only really reach full splendor at about 5 - 6 months - and then keep growing :blink: quite awesome really and the babies are always magical to watch

congrats again - have fun - sue
 
Yes females can have fry one day and then in a few more have the rest of the fry.I know 'cause I had an isolated females in a 10 gall.tank and thats what happened.
About their dorsal shape.Yes they are born with the regular shaped fin and later on they develop to be a replica of their parents but,remember in order to have fry with a specific phisical appearance,the parents have to 100% same strain.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top