Is the guppy pregnant?

[SwimmingWithTheFishes]

The woman at the store told me all of them were male guppies. So, even though i thought one ("jane") looked like a female I left with them. And now I think jane is Pregnant! One female can't live with 3 males either- So before i give her to a LFS is it a gravid spot or a bruise or what? The other guppies seem to pick on Jane a lot. nipping at her belly...How long do i have until the babies (if im right)?

Sorry these picture stink!

[Zagz]

Hard to tell for sure from the pic. Is her anal fin fan shaped or straight like the other males? It does look like a female, and if it is it looks as if about a month until she gives birth. Unfortunately she will be harrassed to death most likely if she is the only female in the tank with males. I would return her and get another male.

[SwimmingWithTheFishes]

Yeah, sorry about the pic. Her anal fin is very clear in color so it's hard to see its shape. I certainly don't want her harrassed so much, but these are my first fish-- what is the protocal for bringing a fish back to a store? I assume I should call first but what else? and how should i transport her- will her pregnacy make her especially delicate to move?

[Zagz]

Her pregnancy will not affect the move. I would call the store and tell them you were sold a pregnant female instead of a male. Livebearer's like guppies should be kept with at least 2 females to one male. I prefer 3 females to one male. The males are relentless when there is a female in the tank.

[meegosh]

I agree, I have 1 male and two females and that little guy is a persistent one! Always harassing the other two. I can't wait until my fry grow out some more so I can add some more females to cut down on the harassing. Unfortunately the only fry large enough to go into the main tank is another male.

If it is a female it usually takes 26-30+ days until she starts dropping fry. Good luck!

[SwimmingWithTheFishes]

So i went and bought a 6 gal nano (my second tank ever woo hoo!). I was planning on putting the boys in there and getting a couple girl friends for Jane. I filled the 6 gal with 1/2 fresh water and 1/2 water from my current 20 gal. I also put a medium sized rock and a small piece of drift wood in there to seed it. Any advice? Oh, and the kit didn't come with a heater and all the heaters at the store were for 20 or more.....what is a good heater for a 6 gal?

[new2betas]

Originally Posted by SwimmingWithTheFishes

Oh, and the kit didn't come with a heater and all the heaters at the store were for 20 or more.....what is a good heater for a 6 gal?

A 25W heater would be a good one for that size tank, but I am finding they are hard to get at local stores. I was lucky to fine a used visotherm at my lfs at 25W, but I am going to have to order my other one online.

[JohnPaul]

Originally Posted by new2betas

A 25W heater would be a good one for that size tank, but I am finding they are hard to get at local stores. I was lucky to fine a used visotherm at my lfs at 25W, but I am going to have to order my other one online.

I agree, the 25W visitherm stealth is the small heater I would most trust. If your LFS doesn't keep them in stock, Dr. Foster Smith currently has all sizes of their visitherms on sale; $15 and change for the 25W, which is a really good price.

[SwimmingWithTheFishes]

Thanks that heater looks perfect.

[mike47517]

looks like a female unsureif its pregent.

[newfound77951]

if it's a female, and was ever in contact with a male, then she is almost definitely pregnant. Guppies are like the fish version of rabbits, or mice....

She is a pretty female, though.

[mike47517]

ya she is usually females are all grey.