Cichlid
Livebearers give birth to live young
Guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails are livebearers. The female gives birth to free swimming fry instead of laying eggs. Females can store sperm and drop several batches from a single mating.
Setup and ratios
- Keep about one male to two or three females so females are not chased constantly.
- Dense plants such as java moss, hornwort or floating plants give fry places to hide.
- Use a sponge filter or cover the filter intake.
Pregnancy and birth
Guppy gestation is usually about 21 to 30 days. A pregnant female grows boxy and shows a dark gravid spot near the rear of the belly. Adults will eat fry, so either keep heavy plant cover or move the female to a roomy breeder box or separate tank shortly before she gives birth.
Breeding for color
To keep a strain looking its best, separate males and females as they mature and choose the best colored fish as parents. Mixing many strains quickly gives you a tank of mixed colors.
Frequently asked questions
How often do guppies have babies?
A healthy female guppy can give birth about every 4 weeks, often from stored sperm.
How many babies do guppies have?
Usually somewhere from about 10 to 50 fry, and sometimes more from large females.
Do guppies eat their babies?
Yes. Adults eat fry, so dense plants or a separate tank help more fry survive.
What you will need
- Java mossCover for fry.Check price on Amazon
- Breeder boxShort term space for a female or fry.Check price on Amazon
- Fry foodTiny first foods.Check price on Amazon
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