How to Take Care of Baby Guppy Fish

Female guppies are live-bearers, meaning they do not lay eggs. Once fertilized, a female can birth 12 to 30 fry within a few hours, and can repeat this cycle for months without additional fertilization. Caring for the fry may be time-consuming, especially if more than one female is pregnant and you have a multitude of fry. Setting up basic tanks for the fry to grow in allows more attentive care. You will also need to decide whether you are going to keep the guppies or find them new homes.

Things You'll Need

• Fry tanks (small aquariums)
• Filters
• Tulle or fine-mesh netting
• Rubber bands
• Tropical fish flake food
• Heating mechanism

Instructions

Fry Tanks

1. Cycle the fry tanks immediately, before birth if possible. The tanks are ready for fry when ammonia and nitrite levels are zero and nitrate is at 40 ppm or less. Set up the filter for the fry tank(s).

2. Cover the suction device on the filter with fine mesh netting. Secure with a rubber band. Small fry are easily sucked into the filter; the mesh prevents this.

3. Heat the tank to 80 degrees. Once the guppies have matured, you can lower the temperature back down to 78 degrees.

4. Add the fry to the tank. Grind tropical fish flakes into fine powder. Feed the guppies the powder several times a day. Newly hatched brine shrimp will also be devoured by the fry, and if possible should be fed to the guppies two to three times per week. The first four weeks of the guppies' lives are dedicated to developing muscle and their bodies.

5. Separate male and female guppies between 4 and 6 weeks of age. They are sexually active at 6 weeks old, although not considered adults until 6 months of age. Place one fish at a time in a small container, then examine the fish with a magnifying glass to differentiate between sexes. A female's gravid spot is often easier to spy than male sexual markers.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have to cull your guppies, or get rid of "bad" fish. Separating males and females is optional, however, many young females can produce a lot more fry rather quickly. Some hobbyists recommend placing the mother guppy into a separate tank (the fry tank) as well.

• Check local laws regarding fish selling, if you decide to sell your fry. It may be illegal, or you may need a license.

References

• Guppies: Care
• Aquarium Fish: Breeding Guppies