Reproduction is different depending on the species but generally happens one of three ways. In most cases, the female drops eggs in the water which are immediately fertilized by sperm from the male. Another way is for fertilization to occur within the females body before she drops them into the water.
How do you know when a fish is about to give birth?
To accommodate the developing eggs, the mother's body expands, becoming deeper and broader . A few days before delivery, she develops a bulge below the gills, her outline becoming fairly square in this region, while the gravid spot has enlarged its area.
Do you separate pregnant fish?
Ideally, pregnant females should be placed on their own in a separate aquarium with lots of feathery plants where they can give birth in a stress-free environment. Then again, once she releases the fry she is returned to the main tank and the fry can be grown on separately.
Do aquarium fish give birth?
Livebearers are aquarium fish that retain the eggs inside the body and give birth to live, free-swimming young . Among aquarium fish, livebearers are nearly all members of the family Poeciliidae and include guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails.
How do I save my baby fish from being eaten?
Some fish species such as angelfish are known to take care of their fry and help them grow. But even these fish that exhibit parental care will at times eat their own fry. ... A further explanation is that by eating her own fry, the female guppy is replenishing her fat storage .
How long is a fish pregnant for?
As examples, the female swordtail and guppy will both give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 live young after a gestation period of four to six weeks , and mollies will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young after a gestation of six to 10 weeks.
How long do fish give birth for?
As examples, the female swordtail and guppy will both give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 live young after a gestation period of four to six weeks , and mollies will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young after a gestation of six to 10 weeks.
How does a mermaid give birth?
What are the origins of mermaids? ... One of the earliest mermaid legends appeared in Syria around 1000 BC when the goddess Atargatis dove into a lake to take the form of a fish . As the gods there would not allow her to give up her great beauty, only her bottom half became a fish, and she kept her top half in human form.
Which fish does not lay eggs?
Among aquarium fish, livebearers are nearly all members of the family Poeciliidae and include guppies , mollies, platies and swordtails. The advantages of livebearing to the aquarist are that the newborn juvenile fish are larger than newly-hatched fry, have a lower chance of mortality and are easier to care for.
How do you remove Fry from an aquarium?
If you leave your fry in the main tank, many of them could become fast food for larger fish. If you want to save your fry, your best bet is to remove them to a fry tank — a special tank , usually a 5- or 10-gallon aquarium, where they can grow unharmed. A fry tank does not need to be heavily decorated.
When should I release the fry in my main tank?
Using water from your established aquarium is a great way to acclimate the fry to water conditions of their future home. In about 4 to 6 weeks , the babies should be large enough to release into the main aquarium.
What is the name of a baby fish?
When the yolk sac is fully absorbed, the young fish are called fry . Fry: Fry are ready to start eating on their own. Fry undergo several more developmental stages, which vary by species, as they mature into adults.
How many babies do guppies have?
A female guppy can have 50-60 young at one time . When Mother Nature sees such a large family, she knows that the fish tank is overcrowded. The female guppy gets the word and produces only two dozen or so of babies.
How do you know if a fish is a boy or a girl?
Males are often slimmer but larger-bodied than females and are more vibrantly colored. The dorsal and anal fins of the male are more pointed, larger and more flowing than in the female. In many species, the male will display egg-shaped markings on the anal fin known as egg spots.
Do fishes sleep?
While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest . Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
