Q&A for How to Breed Guppies

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What am I doing wrong? My fancy tail guppy got pregnant but only had one fry.

Community Answer

That is totally normal, a guppy can give birth from 1 to 100 or more fry. This is especially more common if this was the first breed from the female.

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Question

Can the female guppies die while giving birth?

Community Answer

Yes, if there is not sufficient nutrition for her.

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Question

How many fry will my guppy produce at one time?

Community Answer

A healthy female guppy will produce between 18 and 40 fry. They can emerge in several groups over 24 hours or so.

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Question

Once I place a male and female in the breeding tank, how many days until the female gets pregnant?

Community Answer

Usually only one day, but occasionally 2-3 if the male has never bred before.

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Question

My female guppy died about an hour after I moved her. What did I do wrong?

Community Answer

If you did not acclimate her correctly, it could have caused a shock to her system. Also, she could have died from the stress of giving birth.

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Question

Do I have to have a heater to have babies?

Community Answer

It depends on the outside temperature; if it is cold, then you must have a heater, otherwise not required.

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Question

What do I do if the fry sink to the bottom and just stay there, but they're not dead?

Community Answer

Just be patient, this is normal, if they are viable they will eventually get more active.

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Question

When changing the water in the tank, is it safe to use tap water? And if not, is it okay to fill tap water in empty water jugs and let them sit for a few days?

Community Answer

Yes, provided there's no chloramine, just chlorine, in your tap water. If there is chloramine, then it takes weeks to evaporate. It would be safer and easier to just get a water conditioner that makes your tap water instantly safe.

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Question

I built a Lego hiding place for my betta fish. Will the same thing work for guppies?

Community Answer

Yes, any hiding spot would be great for guppies as long as it is big enough. Be sure that the Lego pieces are washed with tap water first, without any soap.

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Question

Will the guppies breed without being moved to the breeding tank?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

Yes, but it has to be warm enough, include an area conducive to spawning fry, and they need good nutrition. The parents or other fish may eat some fry when they are born, so careful.

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Question

How long does the birthing process last?

Community Answer

It is usually complete within about a day or so. During this time, multiple birthing clutches may be present.

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Question

Why do I need to feed them brine shrimp?

Community Answer

It has higher nutrition, but it's not absolutely required. A cheap alternative would be small mosquito larvae.

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Question

My guppies are different ages, will they still breed?

Community Answer

As long as they are mature, age shouldn't be a factor.

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Question

My guppy has been pregnant for months. What can I do so she gives birth?

Community Answer

If she hasn't given birth for months, she likely isn't pregnant If she is, then put her in a tank by herself; she may be stressed.

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Question

Will all the fries be the same color?

Community Answer

No. There will be natural variations in the coloring throughout the fries.

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Question

Why would females die after giving birth?

Community Answer

The female is under extreme stress. If her health is bad, she will die due to the extreme stress of giving birth.

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Question

On average, how long will it take for a guppy to give birth after buying it from the pet store?

Ghostie Chan

Community Answer

Guppies are pregnant for up to one month, and it can take 1-2 days for a female guppy to give birth.

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Question

Is it necessary to have same color of male and female for mating?

Community Answer

Not at all; having differently-colored males and females can produce some very interestingly-colored offspring.

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Question

How do I know if they are attempting to breed?

Community Answer

The male will probably chase the female and if the male and female are still and either under or above one another, they are probably breeding.

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Question

How can I tell if the female is pregnant?

Community Answer

You can tell if the female is pregnant if her belly is larger than usual and her gravid spot has turned a darker color.

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Question

Should I feed my fry right after they are born?

Community Answer

It is not essential for them to eat straight away but I would recommend feeding them within the first few hours.

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Question

How long does it take for a guppy to become pregnant?

Community Answer

It depends. Guppies mate at 2–3 months. With good conditions a guppy will mate.

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Question

What should I do if I have two pregnant guppies but only one breeder box?

Community Answer

There shouldn't be any problems. Your two females will do just fine delivering together. You could also purchase a second breeder box.

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Question

Will all the babies survive?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

If kept in their own tank, they may. It's normal for a few to die, but make sure that a lot are not dying. Chances are they'll make it.

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Question

How long do I have to leave my male and female guppies together in my breeding tank?

Community Answer

It can vary in time. It will typically happen within a month.

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Question

Can I feed boiled spinach to the parents and fries?

Community Answer

Yes, because they like vegetables, but you have to cut it up into tiny little pieces.

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Question

Can I just leave my male and female guppy in the tank, even when the fry is born?

Community Answer

They will likely eat their fry. If you want maximum success with the fry, remove the parents.

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Question

I have had a couple of female guppies die after giving birth. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

Check your water parameters. If they are off, ask your local aquarium store and see what they have to say. If your tank has no filtration, get a filter. Make sure your tank is the right size for all the fish. Make sure your tank is the right temperature too. I've bred guppies for 2 years and have had this happen to me, even though my tanks are pristine. Just make sure everything is okay in your tanks, but if they are, I think it's just natural.

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Question

My cobra guppy is trying to breed with my platys. Is this rare?

Community Answer

It's not rare, however if the breeding happens the platy will usually not get pregnant because they are from different fish families. Now, if it does become pregnant, the fry will either be deformed, still born or sterile. Molly's, Endlers, and Guppies can interbreed and produce viable, healthy fry.

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Question

Is it cruel to keep a male guppy on its own?

Community Answer

It could be seen that way. They prefer to be in groups, and stress for fish weakens the immune system, making them vulnerable to disease. Also, your fish might get "depressed" and hide all the time without tank mates swimming about and showing it's safe to swim in the open tank. It's best to keep guppies in groups of at least four.

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