Guppy: reproduction

As one of the most popular fish for home aquariums, guppies are a great option for both novice and seasoned hobbyists due to their ease of breeding. They are popular due to their vivid colors and lively behavior, but it can also be fascinating to learn about how they reproduce. As livebearers, guppies give birth to young that swim freely instead of laying eggs. For aquarium enthusiasts who want to increase the number of fish in their tanks, this distinctive feature adds another level of intrigue.

Although it’s not too difficult to reproduce guppies, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Puppies frequently become sexually mature within a few months of birth. The vivid colors and intricate fins of male guppies are well-known for their ability to draw in females. After fertilization, a female guppy carries the eggs inside her body until they hatch, producing a clutch of tiny fry. As you watch these little fish grow from nothing to full-sized guppies, the process can seem almost magical.

Creating the ideal environment is essential for guppy reproduction to be successful. A clean tank with lots of hiding places keeps the adult fish from consuming the young fry. The health of the adult guppies and their offspring will also be supported by a varied diet and ideal water conditions. Knowing these fundamentals will enable you to build a healthy aquarium that will support guppies’ growth and reproduction.

Features of reproduction

At four months of age, these ornamental carp reach sexual maturity and are prepared for reproduction.

One noteworthy aspect is that sexual maturity starts at three months in aquatic environments with temperatures as high as +30 °C.

Both a dedicated spawning tank and a regular aquarium can be used for reproduction. Because ornamental fish are modest and can breed even in such austere conditions, even a three-liter jar will work for this.

In theory, it doesn’t really matter what kind of container you use as long as you take the right steps to provide the best environment possible for your offspring to reproduce. These steps include maintaining the right temperature and providing green vegetation (like hornwort or Java moss) for future fry to hide in.

The majority of experts agree that the best way to encourage guppies to reproduce is to raise the aquarium’s temperature by three to four degrees and change about one-third of the water in the spawning (or common) aquarium.

Professional aquarists, on the other hand, maintain that a provocation of this kind is only necessary in very specific circumstances, such as difficult or premature guppy births.

Mating occurs when the male starts chasing the female and presses against her from below or from the side. Here’s where it gets important: if the fish are in the same volume, make sure there aren’t too many males.

They have the power to exhaust a female to the point of death; in certain instances, this has even resulted in fatalities.

With the aid of a unique sexual organ known scientifically as the gonopodium, the male fertilizes the female. This is essentially a modified section of the fin, found only in adult males, that is made up of multiple tubes.

If you purchased a fish that was kept with males, it’s likely that she is pregnant. A female that has mated once can store the male’s milt for several months.

How to distinguish a pregnant female guppy?

First and foremost, it is important to remember that these stunning fish are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to ready-to-be-born children rather than laying eggs.

A woman’s pregnancy lasts between 28 and 40 days. This has been shown to depend on both the temperature and the quantity of fry she is carrying.

The appearance of a pregnant female guppy is distinct from that of other fish. It starts off with a round belly, but as time goes on, it takes on a rectangular shape with a black area at the bottom.

Important clarification: because a pregnant guppy is extremely sensitive to even the smallest changes in temperature, water quality, and lighting intensity before giving birth, you are unable to alter the conditions for keeping the fish during this time. The secret to the female’s successful spawning is her composure.

Because of their extraordinary capacity for prolific reproduction in home aquariums, guppies make fascinating fish when it comes to reproduction. These little, vibrant fish are livebearers, which means that instead of laying eggs, they give birth to young that swim freely. Aquarists can better control their tank populations and guarantee the wellbeing of both adults and fry by having a thorough understanding of the reproductive cycle, from courtship to birthing. Understanding the fundamentals of guppy reproduction will improve your aquarium experience and assist you in creating a vibrant aquatic environment, regardless of your level of experience with fish keeping.

Guppy birth

The female trembles a little, moves very little, and has no appetite right before giving birth (some even spit out food). The female is always close to the aquarium’s heater if one is present. It should be noted that this may also indicate an early birth.

It is best to move her to a breeding or spawning tank that has been set up in advance at this point. Since the latter requires less space and ongoing maintenance, it is more practical.

The moment the female gives birth, her tail trembles and she briefly freezes. One by one, live fry emerge; they exhibit independence and begin to move around right away.

Perhaps there is no way to know for sure how many fry are born to guppies. The truth is that the number of them varies and is determined by the female’s age and the number of prior births. Furthermore, fertility is correlated with an individual’s size. We are therefore limited to discussing the approximate quantity of fries.

A young female can therefore give birth to 15 to 25 babies during her first spawning, and between 50 and 100 fry during her second and subsequent births.

There is a documented instance of 180 tiny guppies being born at once. The fact that the parents eat the fry adds even more complexity to the calculation of the precise number of small individuals.

A bright black spot near the anus easily identifies a pregnant female.

Postpartum behavior and preservation of offspring

The question of why guppies eat their fry often piques the interest of those who are new to the aquarium industry. Indeed, there are decorative fish that tend to their young and shield them from intruding neighbors. These species, however, are rare.

Furthermore, guppies lack a maternal instinct, just like the majority of fish. The female frequently consumes her young right after spawning, sometimes even at the moment of birth if the fry darts past her mouth.

It’s too late; the person who chose not to hide perished. You know, natural selection.

How can part of the offspring be preserved, if at all?

• It has already been mentioned that it is necessary to keep vegetation in the common aquarium, which provides natural shelter for the young.

• In addition, when breeding in a separate spawning tank, it is important not to miss the moment when it is time to remove the female guppy.

This is done right after the female gives birth to the last fry, according to the only opinion that exists. Naturally, this is only the case if the aquarium’s owner wishes to keep their offspring.

Another choice is that spawning takes place in the main aquarium. In this situation, the aquarist has the final say on whether moving the guppy fry to a different rearing tank is necessary or not.

If such a decision is taken, the young are promptly and meticulously gathered using a plastic cup or a fine-mesh net, and they are then transferred to a water kindergarten that has been set up. While it is impossible to gather every fry, it is still feasible to save the majority of them.

How to care for guppy fry?

The first three to five days of a cub’s life are crucial to their future development. The best things to feed guppy fry during this time have been determined through extensive experience breeding fish in aquariums.

Food should be readily available and available all the time, according to experts. Giving live dust, brine shrimp nauplii, rotifers, and microworms is advised initially.

You can also use a boiled and mashed egg yolk solution in a tablespoon of aquarium water as a top dressing.

Commercial feeds are available that are specifically made for feeding fries. For instance, the German MicroMin has every component required for a young person’s development to be stable.

During the first week of the rearing aquarium, it is not advised to turn off the light above it (continuous lighting promotes healthy growth in the young). Feeding should begin at least twice a day, up to two months of age, and should be done five to six times a day to prevent overfeeding.

By the way, the rate at which guppy fry grow is determined by their nutrition during the first month of life. With good, plentiful nutrition, they grow to a size of 1.5 to 2 cm in about 2 weeks. According to some breeders, the fry can already be placed into a standard aquarium at this size.

Not only are guppies colorful additions to your aquarium, but they are also fascinating reproductive creatures. They are a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts because of their propensity for rapid and abundant reproduction. Their ability to adapt and flourish in a variety of settings makes them a flexible option for any tank.

You can control the number of guppy population and keep your aquarium balanced by being aware of how they reproduce. Because of their live-bearing behavior, female guppies give birth to fry that swim freely rather than laying eggs. This frequently produces a vibrant tank full of small fish darting around, which can be a pretty sight.

Creating an ideal environment is essential to guaranteeing a healthy breeding process. Protection from larger fish, including their own parents, can be provided for fry in a well-planted tank with lots of hiding places. A balanced diet and adequate water quality are also important for the health of the adults and their offspring.

All in all, raising these energetic fish is rewarding when it comes to guppy reproduction. Guppies make vibrant, energetic aquarium inhabitants, and you can have a flourishing collection by learning about their mating habits and providing a comfortable habitat. Seeing guppies procreate and grow can bring a new level of enjoyment to your hobby, regardless of experience level.

Video on the topic

MASS breeding of guppies/Insect pressure

Breeding guppies and swordtails without breeding boxes in a common aquarium

GUPPY fish – MAINTENANCE, BREEDING, FEEDING AND TREATMENT. (English subtitles)