Of all aquarium fish, guppies are considered the most unpretentious. Fish guppies do not create much trouble in care and reproduction. However, there are some subtleties in such a simple matter as the reproduction of guppies. Here, the temperature and nutrition of fish are very important factors. Let's talk about what you should pay attention to when breeding guppies at home.
How to provoke the reproduction of guppies?
Guppies refer to viviparous fishes. This means that they do not spawn, and live, completely independent fry appear. They immediately after the birth actively swim and eat infusoria and small cyclops. In 2.5-3 months the fry become adult, and sexually mature at 3.5-5 months. Healthy females in good conditions rush fry all year round every 20-40 days. Young females rush from 10 fry, with age this number grows to 100.
Here are some tips to achieve this result.
- Place a large number of plants in the aquarium.
- Reduce the water temperature by 2 degrees, this will provoke the reproduction of guppies.
- Change the water more often. In pure water, fish reproduce better.
- Include in the food guppy live food.
- Provide enough space for fish. For a pair of guppies, it is 2-4 liters.
A favorable effect on the development and reproduction of guppies is provided by salt water. To do this, in a separate tank, dilute the salt at a rate of 0.5 g / l spawning water, then slowly pour the resulting solution, stirring the water in the aquarium.
Pay attention also that prolonged illumination of the aquarium (12 or more hours per day) can lead not only to discoloration of males, but also to infertility of females.
Do not forget that guppies are thermophilic fishes. The temperature of 20 degrees can lead to diseases , which naturally affects reproduction.
Also it is worth considering that live males of guppies are 2.5-3 years old, females 3.5-4, but stop reproducing for 1-1.5 years earlier.
Reproduction of guppies in a common aquarium
If in your aquarium, other than guppies live other fish, then make sure that ready to throw a female was safe. The fact that soon the fry will appear, you will learn from the fact that the fish will significantly grow, the abdomen will swell, as well as a dark spot on the abdomen, on the back of it (it will become darker and more).
It is best at this time to put it in a separate aquarium or in a 2-3 liter jar with plants. It is worth keeping the temperature 1-2 degrees higher than in the aquarium.
To the female does not catch food for her own fry, watch for enough live food. Immediately after the birth of the fry, the female should be caught, and the fry should be left for 2-3 weeks. During this time they will grow up, get stronger and learn to hide in the aquarium plants.
Often beginning aquarists are wondering how much to keep the females and males. If you do not plan to breed new breeds, then two males are sufficient for one female. And it is better to buy women and males in different stores, this will save from the degeneration of the breed. In addition, it is worth once a year to add new males.
Fry content
Fry is the basis of caring for guppies. You need to provide for them an optimum temperature of 24-26 degrees, a sufficient number of infusoria for food and small-leaved plants for shelter.
Moving them to a common aquarium, ensure that they can hide from adult fish. Make sure that there is always enough feed in the aquarium, otherwise adults can start hunting for fry. It is desirable that in the general aquarium there are plants floating on the surface, especially favorable for riccia fry.
As you can see, multiplying guppies is quite a simple task. We wish you success.