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

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How can I tell if my platy is pregnant? Do I need different equipment if she is?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

If the fish stays in one position for hours at a time, is this a sign of pregnancy?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Once the baby fish have gotten big, can I put them with the adults?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What do I buy if my fish is pregnant?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How many babies can fish have?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Do I need to have liquid food for the babies? Or can I feed them normal adult fish food?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Does a big stomach indicate pregnancy?

Community Answer

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!

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Question

What if I don't have another tank?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I put the pregnant fish in a glass jar?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Does a brown spot on a fish's belly indicate pregnancy?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How can I tell if my fish has laid eggs?

Community Answer

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

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Question

My fish is getting fat. Does this indicate pregnancy?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Is it a sign of pregnancy if my fish is becoming less active and there is inflammation on its ventral side?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No, inflammation is a sign of sickness.

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Question

How will I take care of the babies?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I put fish in a big container?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Do fishes have miscarriages? If so, do I put the dead fish in the bin?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Will the goldfish eat the eggs?

Community Answer

Most goldfish in captivity eat their eggs.

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Question

If my fish is laying down - does it mean that it is pregnant?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I feed baby fish with the same food as of adults by grinding the food up?

Onkar Jha

Community Answer

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

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Question

Should I separate a male and female guppy if the male is biting the female?

Community Answer

Yes, you should separate them.

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Question

Do I need to put the fish in a separate tank?

Shreyabhat13

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I know if my fish is a girl?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I know if my clown fish or betta fish is a girl or boy?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I tell if my fish is dead?

Community Answer

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.)

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Question

I have a female Betta Fish, and I feed her at least 3 pellets a day, and her belly seems a bit large. She also makes these little bubbles at the top of her tank, so could that be her making a nest?

Raya Bastian

Community Answer

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.

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Question

I have three mosquitofish and there's one that is very small. Will the others bully or eat him?

Hayden Hartsock

Community Answer

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

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Question

What do I do when the fish has babies

Raya Bastian

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I tell if my fish are gonna breed?

Community Answer

Males often chase females and nip their bellies.

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Question

My friend says her minnow fish is pregnant. How can she tell? Also, another girl in my class said she saw her male fish chasing her female fish. Were they mating?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Will my fish eat its young?

Community Answer

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

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