Upside down after giving birth

[CuppaT]

Hi,
Can anyone advise if my fish is sick or just recouperating from giving birth?
I removed her from the main tank when she started acting strangely -i.e. bouncing around with her head down and her tail up. I put her in the tank with some young fry from my last birthing experience! and she almost immediately started giving birth. I was surprised because the store assured me that the square heavy belly was her natural shape!!
Anyway, she ate most of her own fry before I removed her from the tank into a net in the main tank where she has continued to swim head down, and tail up, sucking at the bottom of the net. She will also retreat under the artificial grass I put in (in case she had more fry) and stay there (to rest?). I thought she was dead but she comes out again and feeds heartily. She has been eating well throughout the ordeal.
Is this normal? Have I distrupted her birthing before she finished and now she's stuck?!!! Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[AHackett72]

I've never heard of this before! But one thing to remember after birth, do not put the mother in the main tank right after she gives birth. Put her in a tank to 24-48 hours so she can get some rest! She may have been tormented by other fish in your tank!!

 

[CuppaT]

I've never heard of this before! But one thing to remember after birth, do not put the mother in the main tank right after she gives birth. Put her in a tank to 24-48 hours so she can get some rest! She may have been tormented by other fish in your tank!!

Thank you for the advice.
Although she is in the main tank, she is in a breeding net so the other fish can't get at her. She is definately resting - I just don't know how she remains upsidedown!

 

[HeatherSweetness]

Sometimes mother fishes get soooo stressed out after giving birth,it's rough on the poor dears. She may just be exhausted. Keep a close eye on her,this is a time when they tend to get ick and fungal infections because they get weakened. I'd say a little TLC should do the trick. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[CuppaT]

Thank you both for your advice. I have nurtured her for over a week. Yesterday she got very active, ate and swam about almost in a normal position. But this morning she was dead. It's a mystery.
I've had two successful lives births prior to this. I currently have 5 guppy offspring, 3 male and 2 female, that are very active and entertaining. I just love it when they all swim to the glass when I approach the tank! I also had a tank of about 14 orange fry from a pair of mickey mouse platy and just one surviving fry from this recent silver balloon molly.
It has been an amazing experience but very sad when the mother dies.
I am very grateful to this site for all it's wonderful information. I have a lot to learn!
THANK YOU ALL

 

[jams.alaskan]

So sorry that you lost her - you did all you could.

ALASKA