How fast can guppies reproduce

Due to the fact that few strains are pure producing identical fish from generation to generation , it is quite possible that you may end up with a new characteristic.

New variations can occur through mutation as well. When it comes to the realm of breeding, nearly anything is possible. Both linebreeding and inbreeding are used to produce pure strains of guppies. The first step in this process is to choose a male and female with a number of similar characteristics you find interesting. If you do not want to just leave them to breed in your main tank, place a breeding pair together in a gallon breeding tank containing a sponge filter and floating plants, which will give the fry hiding places directly after birth.

Some guppy parents are cannibalistic and will devour their own young. The male should be removed before the fry are born, and the female should be removed right after the fry are born. Frequent water changes are vital to produce quality guppies. Since a single insemination can produce a series of broods, it is best to separate the sexes as soon as possible so that you can control which males father the next generation of guppies.

The new fry may be ready to reproduce in as little as three months in some cases. Early sexing can be accomplished by noting the distance of the anal fin from the pelvic fins. It is easy to determine when a female is pregnant by her body shape. The female will get much larger and develop a gravid spot on her abdomen, which becomes darker and darker as birth nears. A scientist in Denmark once inbred the same strain of guppies for a period of 24 years without the addition of any new blood.

The end result of this experiment was a larger and stronger strain of guppies with no apparent damage or weakness caused by the inbreeding! As new generations are born, keep an eye out for any males born with unique characteristics that can potentially be developed into new lines. Feeding the Fry Newborn fry should be fed newly hatched brine shrimp to ensure the greatest growth potential. Make sure to provide plenty of plants rooted and floating so the fry can hide until they have consumed enough food to increase their body size and avoid being eaten if you do not use a breeding tank.

Guppies are omnivores and prefer a diet consisting of both meat and vegetable matter. A well-rounded diet should include vegetable flakes, standard flakes, live brine shrimp, and live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods. Small offerings of boiled spinach or freshly chopped dark green lettuce will be appreciated as well.

Feeding should occur twice daily. Remove all food that has not been eaten over a period of five minutes. Remember that guppies have small mouths, so do not feed them any coarse foods. Guppies have a long gut and will generally eat only small amounts at a time. Guppies rapidly reach maturity. Since guppies give live birth instead of laying eggs, guppy fry baby fish are born more developed that most fish. Unlike egg layers, they start life as miniature adults. A guppy can start to reproduce at only 2 to 3 months of age.

Guppy physiology and behavior also contribute to their rapid rate of reproduction. Males constantly try to mate with females. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that guppies lay eggs; they bear live young. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business. Share this —. Watch the male for the development of his gonopodium, a special fin set under his belly. When it begins to look long and pointed, he can impregnate females, and is a sure sign that your fish should be separated. If you wonder how guppies can be pregnant all of the time, blame it on superfetation.

If you want to keep a female separated until you have the right male for her, keep in mind that if she is separated from males for too long, she may begin to have trouble getting pregnant in the future.