What to do when a guppy is about to give birth? Popular fish farming guides on the Internet
Recently, the topic of guppy reproduction has soared in major fish farming forums and social platforms, and many novice aquarists are full of questions about how to handle guppies when they are about to give birth. This article will combine the hot discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with structured solutions to help you easily deal with guppy production.
1. Signs of labor in guppies

The gestation period of guppies is about 21-30 days, and obvious behavioral changes will occur before giving birth. The following are frequently mentioned signs of labor:
| sign | Specific performance | Time of appearance (before labor) |
|---|---|---|
| distended abdomen | The abdomen is square and the fetal spot (black spot on the anus) is obvious | 3-5 days |
| Abnormal swimming | Hiding in corners, swimming up and down, or standing still | 1-2 days |
| decreased appetite | Refusal to eat or swallow food | Within 24 hours |
2. Necessary preparations for labor
According to the actual test recommendations of fish farming experts on Douyin and Station B, the following preparations need to be made in advance:
| Items/Measures | function | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| isolation box | Prevent female fish from swallowing fry | Choose the mesh breathable model with space ≥15cm |
| Aquatic plants/obstacles | Provide shelter for fry | Moss aquatic plants or plastic spacers are recommended |
| Stable water temperature | Avoid premature or difficult labor | Maintain 26-28℃, temperature difference ≤1℃ |
3. Emergency treatment during production
The practical experience shared by Xiaohongshu user "Shuizu Mengzhu" shows that the following situations require immediate intervention:
1. Response to dystocia:If the female fish continues to twitch for more than 2 hours and does not give birth, try changing 1/3 of the new water (increase the water temperature by 1°C) to stimulate delivery.
2. Seedling treatment:The female fish is transferred immediately after giving birth, and the fry are fed with egg yolk water (boiled egg yolk crushed and suspended) or special powdered feed.
| question | solution | Success rate (user feedback) |
|---|---|---|
| Female fish is weak | Rest alone + supplement nutrition with blood worms | 89% |
| Fry died | Test water quality ammonia nitrogen content (requires <0.02mg/L) | 76% |
4. Key points of postpartum care
Popular answers on Zhihu emphasize the critical period of 48 hours after delivery:
Female fish care:Raise alone for 3 days, feed high-protein feed (such as brine shrimp), and avoid frequent water changes.
Fry management:Maintain a 24-hour low-light environment for the first 3 days, and change 10% of the water every day (needs to be injected slowly in a dripping manner).
5. Hotly discussed QA selections across the entire network
| High frequency problem | Professional answers |
|---|---|
| "What should I do if the female fish always gives birth in the middle of the night?" | It is recommended to turn on a night light at night to reduce the stimulation of sudden changes in the environment |
| "How many little fish can be born in one litter?" | Usually 20-50 fish, first-time females may only have 10-15 fish |
With the above structured guidance, even novices can handle guppy breeding with ease. Remember to bookmark this article and refer to it anytime during labor!
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