How Can I Tell If My New Fish Is Pregnant? Im Still Learning.

[hot_hazza3]

hello, i wonder if you could help me...i have a new tank which i set up about 2 weeks ago i have put some fish within the tank as the water was tested and everything was ok!
but one pf my platys seems a bit chubby and im unsure if she is pregnant or not, as im new to this im unsure!!! can anyone help me please?
thanx "H"

 

[hot_hazza3]

if any1 can help or give me signs to look for it so would help thank you

 

[bushpig]

dunno how to check
but my wife said that when my molly swam by the light she could see babys inside her??

or you could just wait and see, as long as she doesent apear ill then you can rule out her been poorly

 

[reddannyh]

When looking at the fish front on the belly will be protruding out of the sides. Also late on in the pregnancy as said above you will be able to see a small black patch in the belly, this is the fry. This usually occurs not long before the fish are due to be born.

 

[hot_hazza3]

cheers..i mean she is big at the rear end and has a dark coloured patch but again not sure....when she turns in the light it looks kind of a gathering off somthing shes not ill but think she could be pregnant...how long are they pregnant 4 do u know?

 

[reddannyh]

I dont know the exact amount of time but I think its a matter of days. It sounds to me like she is pregnant, if you want to save the fry I would suggest buying a breeding trap and getting her into it ASAP.

 

[hot_hazza3]

Also when i had the water checked and put the fish in the fish man ( sorry dont no real name ) lol said she could be...so if i can c the dark back end how long b4 she gives birth as i dont have anythin to put in the breeding net...like any moss or anythin....will they be eaten?

 

[reddannyh]

As I said I don't know the gestation period. The mother shouldn't eat her own fry at once so if you get her in a breeding net wait until she has them and then remove her to the main tank you should be fine, you won't need moss or anything in there.

 

[Triumph]

I also have platys (4 red wagtail platys 2m 2f).

This is what I have read about them and breeding as I believe one or both of my females may be preggie!

The females are more rounded and are usually larger than the males.

When pregnant they become more rounded in shape and fatter, and when close to giving birth you can see a dark patch (the eyes of the fry) near the anal fin.

Gestation period is 3-4 weeks.

Fry are vulnerable to being eaten by the parents and other fish.

I have found that one of my females who I think may be pregnant does seem to take herself off on her own more and hides in the plants. I don't know whether yours are doing this or whether it has anything to do with it.

Hope this is of some help.

Billy the Fish

 

[hot_hazza3]

right lol...i have just placed her in the birth net (which was a mission and a half) but now she is in there...so now its a waiting game...she has been straying away from the other fish and hiding down near the plan a bit yes so i think its close im just scared that she will eat them?
should i be?

 

[Triumph]

From what I can gather there is a good chance that some of the fry will get eaten.

However, if you have plenty of plants it will provide places for the fry to hide to give them a better chance.

The book I have in front of me says that the mother may retire to a quiet place near the surface in the shelter of plants to give birth, and floating plants are good for this.

I''m new to this too so don't know much about breedig nets etc, but I wouldn't want to stress her out by putting her in one?

It sounds like your fish may already have been pregnant as I've read the gestation period is 3-4 weeks.

Good luck with your new arrivals!

Billy the Fish

 

[hot_hazza3]

i really hope they will be ok? she is quite big so it should be soon...like i said im new to all this so i havent got a clue really...i'm thankfull for all the info people are giving me...i ahve put her in the breeding net for now if nothin in a few days i will take her out!!!

im still all cunfussed about the whole pregnant time for platys and guppies as the bloke at the shope told me the guppy fish are pregnant for only 10days usually is this true?

 

[Triumph]

i really hope they will be ok? she is quite big so it should be soon...like i said im new to all this so i havent got a clue really...i'm thankfull for all the info people are giving me...i ahve put her in the breeding net for now if nothin in a few days i will take her out!!!

im still all cunfussed about the whole pregnant time for platys and guppies as the bloke at the shope told me the guppy fish are pregnant for only 10days usually is this true?

Not sure about guppies, but check out the live bearers section on here though, there's loads of info about raising fry etc.

Billy the Fish

 

[hot_hazza3]

i tried to but it wouldnt let me add anything to there? dont no y!
also if u dont mind how can i make her not stressed as she is in the net?

 

[hot_hazza3]

she seems to be freaking out now in the net is this normal???
also how offern am i supost to change to water and also check it?