Most fish release thousands of eggs, scattering them in the water where the male fish fertilize them. The eggs develop and hatch into larvae (baby fish) without any help from the parents. A few kinds of fish keep their eggs inside their bodies, so when they hatch they give birth to live young.

Fish reproduce by bearing live young or by laying eggs. Livebearers give birth to fully formed and functional young called fry. The eggs are fertilized and hatch within the female.

Fish Reproduction: The eggs of fish are fertilized either externally or internally, depending on species. The female usually lays the eggs, and the embryos in the eggs develop and hatch outside her body. Each embryo develops in its own egg. The young are ‘born alive’ like most mammals.

Sometimes the female fish will carry the fertilized eggs in her mouth, or the male and female will trade off, which is called biparental mouthbrooding.

Can a Dead Guppy Give Birth? It can happen, especially if the death occurs right before birth is given. But if they die before birth (a few days or weeks), then the fry will generally die with it as well. That is, obviously, a very sad occurrence, but it can happen.

The most common reason for guppies dying in your aquarium is the poor water quality. The lack of oxygen in the water can also cause guppies to die. Putting too cold or too warm water in your aquarium will cause death to your guppy fish. Tap water contains chlorine, which is deadly to guppy fish.

The water temperature (cooler temps = longer gestation), the fish’s stress levels, if this is her first pregnancy, etc. Guppies can sometimes hold fry for several months before giving birth if several of these factors come into play.

Gravid Spot Disappears As soon as fish deliver all babies, the spot will be less dense, and its color fades. It will merge with the original color of the fish. Even the guppy’s own color will become silver-gray; that is its original shade. It is a good indication that you can judge to know that fish is free now.

Guppies are an attractive, easy-to-keep tropical fish that can be a colorful addition to your aquarium. They can get a bit territorial, though, and when that happens your peaceful little guppies may end up taking bites out of each other’s fins and tails, or perhaps fighting with your other fish.

It is recommended that a pregnant guppy be removed from the community tank, or isolated in a part of it, in order to give birth to her fry. When she gives birth the males will eat the babies. If you don’t remove her you will look in one day and she won’t be pregnant anymore.

Most live bearers give birth during the night. Female Guppy Hiding Hiding between plants or staying in a corner of the tank is another sign that your female guppy fish is in labor and ready to give birth. This is not a normal behavior of guppies.

After Your Fish Gives Birth

1. For many species, it’s important to keep fertilized eggs and newly hatched fish, or fry, separate from the adults.
2. When moving the fry to a separate tank, use the water from the original tank.
3. Some adult fish are caretakers.
4. Create a good home for the fry.

One of the first questions people usually ask is, “How do guppies have babies?” When a guppy gives birth, the females will “drop” 2 to 200 baby guppies, called fry, typically in four to six hours. If she is stressed, however, the process to give birth to all the fry can take up to 12 hours.

During mating season, male guppies either attract females with their brightly-colored bodies or harass smaller females into mating by nipping and chasing them. The females usually only mate with the most attractive males to ensure the production of high-quality offspring.

Male guppies will bend their spine to the side and will start flaring, dancing, and jiggling around female guppies. I can ensure you, that there is nothing wrong with your fish. This is the mating behavior of guppies. Males will do this mating ritual all day long.

Evolutionary biologists thought the female guppy always chooses her mate by his vibrant colors and swinging tail. But new research suggests that she may rely more on her nose when she can’t see who’s in the water. In the far end of the stem, a female was released and allowed to swim up to one of the males.