Started this hobby in July. Maybe end of August, a friend recommended I mate the guppies I had bought - they were 2 males at the time. So I bought females and mated. Since September, I had 4 batches of guppy fry, each batch between 5 -9 maybe, and in the end, having 1 or two of each batch survive.
But what followed was painful - each female started to die. And die a very slow death. I understand now it was because she was overstressed by the mating. And I have realized the tuxedo guppies are the worst in doing this.
Currently with three females, and having just lost 2 days before, I see two more females on top, in the corner, one especially showing a cone-like shape coming from her bum. I can't take this anymore! I thought guppies were a bit stronger. I don't have the heart to dispose of her, but she will end up dying soon.
I'm discouraged. Is it safe, at least, to only have male guppies then in the tank? Because seeing this only makes me want to give up this hobby I just started and am invested in.
Along with balloon mollies and platys, what can I add? Or just stick with those? At least the female balloon mollies don't seem to get this dire after birth - am I wrong? The males don't seem to stress them like the male guppies do. Thoughts?
But what followed was painful - each female started to die. And die a very slow death. I understand now it was because she was overstressed by the mating. And I have realized the tuxedo guppies are the worst in doing this.
Currently with three females, and having just lost 2 days before, I see two more females on top, in the corner, one especially showing a cone-like shape coming from her bum. I can't take this anymore! I thought guppies were a bit stronger. I don't have the heart to dispose of her, but she will end up dying soon.
I'm discouraged. Is it safe, at least, to only have male guppies then in the tank? Because seeing this only makes me want to give up this hobby I just started and am invested in.
Along with balloon mollies and platys, what can I add? Or just stick with those? At least the female balloon mollies don't seem to get this dire after birth - am I wrong? The males don't seem to stress them like the male guppies do. Thoughts?