Many guppy enthusiasts encounter the question: "Should I separate the fry after they give birth?" This question not only concerns the guppy's reproductive process but also the health and survival rate of the fry. Guppies are a very popular tropical ornamental fish, with a high reproductive rate, often starting to breed unexpectedly. However, how to care for pregnant mothers and how to handle the fry are crucial issues for every fishkeeper.
This article will answer common questions about guppy breeding, especially whether the fry need to be separated, helping you to better care for your guppies and improve the survival rate of the fry.
Basic knowledge about guppy breeding: Do guppy fry need to be separated?
Guppies are ovoviviparous fish, meaning that the female guppy incubates the fry inside her body and then gives birth to the fry directly, unlike some fish that lay eggs and then incubate them. Typically, a female guppy will give birth to fry about 24-30 days after conception, with the number ranging from a few to dozens. Chen Chen (2020) mentions in *Tropical Fish Breeding Guide* that the breeding process of guppies is relatively simple, but because the mother fish becomes very anxious during childbirth and is prone to eating the fry , special care is needed.
Why scoop out the small fish separately?
According to Zhao Jing's (2021) research, *Aquarium Breeding and Reproduction*, the most important thing to protect after a female guppy gives birth is the newborn fry. Here are some reasons why you might need to separate the fry:
To prevent the mother guppy from eating the fry : Female guppies may eat some of the fry after giving birth, which is their natural behavior, especially under stress. If you want the fry to survive, it's best to remove them from the container.
Preventing attacks from other fish : If there are other fish in your aquarium, they may attack or eat the smaller fish. Separating the smaller fish can protect them from threats from other fish.
Improving survival rates : Young fish are very vulnerable in the first few days after birth and easily affected by environmental changes. Removing them from the water and placing them in a nursery box, providing a quiet and safe environment, helps improve their survival rate.
How to provide a suitable environment for guppy fry to grow?
If you decide to catch the guppy fry and raise them individually, it is very important to provide them with a suitable environment for growth. Here are some suggestions for providing the best environment for guppy fry.
1. Use seedling boxes or small fishing net cages.
To prevent fry from being eaten by adult fish, Wang Zhiqiang (2019) recommends using a nursery box in his book "Tropical Fish Health Management". A nursery box is usually a small, transparent box that can effectively isolate fry in the aquarium while allowing them to maintain visual contact with their mother, thus reducing stress.
Good air permeability: The nursery box should have good water flow and air permeability to ensure the oxygen supply for the small fish.
Easy to clean: Choose a brooder box that is easy to clean to ensure a clean living environment for the fry.
2. Control water quality and temperature
Small guppies have weak immune systems and are very sensitive to water quality. Li Chen (2021) mentions in "Aquarium Water Quality Management" that guppy fry should live in a clean, stable aquatic environment, avoiding drastic changes in water quality. Maintaining the water temperature between 24-28°C and avoiding large temperature fluctuations will help the fry grow healthily.
Water quality: Regularly check the pH value and ammonia nitrogen content of the water to keep it clean and avoid water pollution.
Change the water regularly: To keep the water fresh, change the water regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria.
3. Dietary Arrangements: Food for Guppy Fry
Guppy fry are initially unable to feed themselves, so you need to provide them with suitable food. In her book "Small Fish Breeding and Raising" (2020), Sun Li mentions that newly hatched fry are best fed small pieces of food, such as special small fish pellets and micro-plankton.
First meal: It is best not to feed the baby fish on the first day after they are born. Wait until they adapt to their environment before gradually feeding them.
Specialized feed: Choose feed suitable for the age of the small fish, and avoid using oversized fish food, otherwise it will affect their digestion.
Guppy fry care: How to improve the survival rate of fry?
The care of guppy fry is crucial, especially in the first few days after birth. Here are some tips to improve their survival rate:
1. Ensure sufficient lighting and a safe environment.
Guppy fry need ample light to promote their normal development, but excessive light should be avoided. Zhang Ling (2020) points out in Aquarium Aquaculture and Management that excessive light may stress the fry and affect their health.
Soft lighting: Use soft lighting and avoid making the aquarium too bright.
Reduce disturbance: Avoid excessive disturbance to the small fish and keep the environment quiet.
2. Prevent water temperature fluctuations
Water temperature is crucial for the growth of guppy fry. Chen Feng (2019) mentioned in his book "Temperature Management in Fish Breeding" that the optimal water temperature for guppy fry growth is 24-28°C. Water temperatures that are too low or too high will affect their health and may even lead to death.
Stabilize water temperature: Use a thermostat to keep the water temperature stable and avoid drastic fluctuations.
Avoid cold water: Pay special attention to avoiding water that is too cold, as a sudden drop in temperature can easily cause small fish to die.
In summary: Should guppies that have given birth be separated from their fry?
"Should guppies be separated after giving birth?" The answer is yes . To ensure the survival rate of the fry, prevent the mother from eating them, and protect them from attacks by other fish, it's best to separate the fry and place them in a brooder. Providing suitable water quality, temperature, and lighting will ensure the healthy growth of the fry and ultimately increase the success rate of guppy breeding.
References:
Chen Chen (2020). Tropical Fish Breeding Guide. Aquarium Publishing House.
Zhao Jing (2021). Aquarium Breeding and Reproduction. Journal of Modern Ichthyology.
Wang Zhiqiang (2019). Health Management of Tropical Fish. Aquarium Research Center.
Li Chen (2021). Aquarium Water Quality Management. Fish Science Press.
Zhang Ling (2020). Aquaculture and Management. Aquatic Life Magazine.
