Q&A for How to Tell if Your Fish Is Having Babies

The platy should have a roundish belly and a gravid spot near its anal fin. Get another small tank or breeder box for her to stay in to deliver the babies.

Sometimes, yes, if they're livebearers, but it could also be a sign of illness.

As long as they are big enough to not be eaten, then yes. At the place I work as a professional expert we recommend waiting 2-4 weeks after they are born.

A breeding mesh, most species of fish tend to eat their young. Most pet stores sell them.

It really depends on the species, but for a usual goldfish, it can be up to 45-50 babies.

You can feed them adult fish food as long as you crumble them into smaller pieces first.

It could. However, if there is another one of that fish's species with a large stomach, they could be bloated from being fed too much!

Birthing separators can be placed in the same tank, and are available at your local pet store.

No, you should give it a separate tank so it will have space to move.

If the spot just before the anus is dark, and you notice your fish getting fatter, then yes. This only works for some species though. You can ask your local pet shop for more information.

You can tell if you're fish has laid eggs if you see clear circles in your tank.

Sometimes. It can also indicate constipation or a bloated stomach from overfeeding. If your fish continues to get fatter and fatter and never lays eggs or gives birth it may be constipated. Try feeding half of a pea (shelled) to help things move along.

No, inflammation is a sign of sickness.

Read this: https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Molly-Fry

Yes, but without a filter you have to keep a close eye on the water quality. The container must be 8 gallons or more.

Yes, fish can have miscarriages. You should dispose of the dead fish as you would dispose of an adult one.

Most goldfish in captivity eat their eggs.

Probably not. Pregnancy does not have much to do with the fish laying down. Your fish is probably sick or tired.

You should buy liquid food as the baby fishes doesn't have a big mouth like adult fishes.

Yes, you should separate them.

It is more reasonable to do so, especially when your fish tank consists of more than one type of species. Otherwise, other fish may eat the babies. If you only have two fish in your tank (one male and one female), then it is also a good idea to buy a mesh separator, which you can find at Petsmart or other pet supply stores, to separate your baby fish from their parents for safety reasons.

There are many ways to tell its gender. It mainly depends on your type of fish. Males usually have fancier/pointier tails and more color. Females usually have rounder fan-like fins. You can find gender comparison videos on YouTube.

Males of both of these species are larger and more colorful, with bigger fins.

Your fish might be dead if it's upside down, and doesn't move when you try to touch it (use a net, not your hands.)

3 pellets for 1 betta fish is way too much! You should be feeding her 3 pellets every 4 or 5 days. It is likely the big belly is either bloating, or too much food. Try fasting her for 2 days, and if the swelling goes down she is not pregnant. If it does not, then she most likely is.

Maybe. If you think they might attack, you probably might want to buy a tank divider or another tank.

It depends on the type of fish. If your type eats their fry, get a breeder net to separate the adults from the fry. If the do not eat fry, just put lots of foliage around your tank so they feel safer.

Males often chase females and nip their bellies.

She can tell because it will develop a dark spot. A fish chasing another fish is normal in some species, but it could be a sign of aggression. Tell her to keep an eye on them, and if she notices any fin tears or other injuries to the fish, she should separate them.

Yes, depending on the species, most fish will eat their offspring.