Guppy Gave Birth

[Gavin3171]

One of my females gave birth earlier but had a few problems. After gettting her into the birthing trap she gave birth to one that died and then the second one she tried to get out got stuck. The head was out but it didnt go any further for over two hours that we went out. She started looking distressed so i stepped in and got the now dead fry out of the birthing tube. She then stopped having anymore. This was her first lot of fry. Why did she only have two fry? Could she have more tomorrow or tonight?

Before you ask my water levels are spot on. PH is a tad high at 7.8.

 

[Akasha72]

2 fry for a guppy is nothing really. There will probably be more to come. The birthing process can go on for hours. All you can do is keep an eye on her and try and keep her calm - which I know is hard when you can tell they are distressed. Keep the lights out - maybe cover the tank glass with towels/blanket etc. I find my females prefer the dark when they are dropping

I don't know what else to suggest really. Good luck

 

[Gavin3171]

Do they abort giving birth when they are stessed? I thought i read that sonewhere?

 

[Peter C]

Do they abort giving birth when they are stessed? I thought i read that sonewhere?

I reckon mine are doing that, they just avnt given birth to any yet!

 

[fish48]

they are probably given birth and eating there fry

 

[Akasha72]

Do they abort giving birth when they are stessed? I thought i read that sonewhere?

Yes, they can abort the fry - not sure how they go about this though as I've not had it happen to me.

I think Oldman47 is the real expert. I was hoping he'd come and help you more with this. My knowledge only goes as far as my own experience's and I've never had to intervene with any of my livebearers in the birthing process.

Has she had anymore fry in the night?

 

[fish48]

they can abort there fry due to strese, aborted or not they till get eaten

 

[Peter C]

1 or 2 fry I could imagine being eaten but not 100+ surely?

 

[Gavin3171]

She didnt eat them. She had one stuck inside her for a while then no more. The first she had was looking like it was going to survive in the breeding trap but it died.

No more in the night. Ive let her out now.

 

[Akasha72]

She didnt eat them. She had one stuck inside her for a while then no more. The first she had was looking like it was going to survive in the breeding trap but it died.

No more in the night. Ive let her out now.

it's probably best that you've let her go. She'll be calmer in her usual enviroment. See how it goes and keep us posted

 

[Peter C]

Mines given birth to about 8 or so (all iv found in the tank and managed to put in the breeding trap)

Was expecting a few more than this tho, but all 3 females still look heavily pregnant so with any luck more will be on the way!

 

[OldMan47]

A typical drop from a very young, maybe first time, female could be as few as 10 to 15 fry. A mature female poeciliid will drop at least 25 fry and often can drop as many as 50. A drop of only 2 fry found means one of two things. Either you failed to find most of the fry or, another distinct possibility, you have believed too many people who tell you to always have your fish on a near starvation diet. If you grossly restrict the feeding of your breeders, you will end up with far fewer fry. Only a well fed female will deliver a proper typical drop. If I have fish that I want to breed, I ignore all of the advice about feeding only once a day and skipping days from time to time. My breeders get well fed at least daily and often get fed even more. When I separate a female into a drop tank, she gets at least twice daily feeding until she is fully satisfied at each meal. I never experience tiny drops when I do that. Even my goodeids, with a reputation for very small drops, will give me at least 15 fry each time. Let's not forget that a newborn goodeid fry is often 2 cm long. When I get 15 of those monsters, I feel really good about it.

 

[Gavin3171]

I feed daily. Flake and half floating pellet. Then frozen now and again. Do they abort when stressed?