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.
Within about 20 to 40 days after the mating ritual has concluded, the female will develop a bulge in the abdomen; a red or black spot may form toward the rear of the abdomen signifying her pregnancy. Guppies and mollies can deliver as many as 20 fry at once.
The female fish lays unfertilized eggs in water nests or builds a safe area for them, then the male fertilizes these eggs; that is, the eggs are fertilized and mature outside the mother's body. In this case, you may notice jelly-like floating orbs on the water surface or in your aquarium.
Carrying Eggs - One reason your fish may appear slightly bigger is because it is carrying eggs. If your fish is a female, is not overly fat, and is normal in most other regards, this is a very high possibility. Another indication is if your fish has an enlarged vent; this is where the eggs will come out.
Causes of Fish Bloat: There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of fish bloat. Poor water quality is a common cause, as is overfeeding or feeding an inappropriate diet. Parasites and bacterial infections can also cause the swim bladder to malfunction, as can physical trauma to the fish.
Fish pregnancy can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 3.5 years depending on the species. Fish pregnancies usually last between 3 weeks and 10 months. This huge range is due to the differences between various fish species.
Fish reproduce by bearing live young or by laying eggs. Livebearers give birth to fully formed and functional young called fry. The eggs are fertilized and hatch within the female.
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.
And most fish don't care for their young, but out of the species that do, between one-third and one-half rely on fathers parenting alone. Perhaps the most well-known example is the seahorse, where the male becomes pregnant, carrying his mate's fertilized eggs in a pouch on his belly until they hatch.
Why Is My Fish Swimming Upside Down? If your fish is swimming upside down, it has a problem with its swim bladder. Your fish has stopped being able to control its swim bladder and has got stuck with too much air inside it.
Surprisingly, shipping fish and invertebrates in plastic bags is quite a reliable method that has been used for decades. On average, fish can survive for 6-9 hours in a sealed plastic bag as long as other conditions are met.
Depending on water conditions, temperature, and diet, some livebearers can have broods as often as every four to eight weeks. You can tell if a female is ready to give birth by her enlarged abdomen or a dark spot located near her anal fin.
In most fish, this process takes between two to four weeks. Examples of livebearing species include guppies and platys. Once the female has mated and produced fry, she doesn't always need to mate again to give birth. Some fish have been known to reproduce regularly without a male even being present.
Pregnant female fish often develop a "gravid spot" on the abdomen near the rear vent. This is typically black or bright red, and grows more pronounced over the course of the pregnancy. Some fish always have this spot, but it will typically grow brighter or darker during once the fish is pregnant.
New discoveries amaze us each day. And this exactly what has happened yet again. Two female ray fish have given birth to pups without a male ray fish being present in their ranks. The news has created quite a stir in scientific community and beyond.
The methods of reproduction in fishes are varied, but most fishes lay a large number of small eggs, fertilized and scattered outside of the body. The eggs of pelagic fishes usually remain suspended in the open water. Many shore and freshwater fishes lay eggs on the bottom or among plants.
Guppies. The guppy needs to be on top of this list for sure, because its hands down the most popular livebearer (it also breeds super quick, which is a lot of fun to experience) and possibly even aquarium fish available. They come in many different colors which is what makes them so interesting.
This could be caused by a number of things, such as a swim bladder problem, constipation or an internal infection. ✔ Make sure that the water quality is pristine (test for ammonia and nitrite using King British 6 in 1 Water Test Strips), and the dissolved oxygen is high (by ensuring good aeration).
How Often Should I Feed My Fish? For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
This can be due to overeating, overconsumption, low water temperatures, bacterial infections, parasites, or other impaired organs affecting the bladder. In these particular cases, the fish can end up with a distended belly, curved back, impaired swimming, or even death leaving them floating on top of the water.
White algae and any other types of algae can mean that your tank is cycled. That's because algae thrive on high nutrient levels. However, you shouldn't keep white algae in your tank, as it spreads quickly and dirties your tank, even if they don't hurt your fish.