Isn’t it wonderful to have fish that are too easy to breed? Guppies are one of those fish. They are livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Not only that, but they can have up to 100 babies at a time! So why do guppy fish die after giving birth?
No, guppy fish do not die after giving birth until and unless they are weak or sick. If the female guppy fish is not strong enough, she might get sick and die after giving birth to the fry. There are many reasons for a female guppy fish to be weak, such as stress, complications during labor, bullying right after giving birth, malnutrition during pregnancy, inadequate water parameters, incorrect water temperature, and old age.
The best way to prevent the death of guppy fish after giving birth is by providing them with a well-maintained aquarium and good food; it is as simple as that.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why guppy fish might die after giving birth and provide tips on how to prevent this from happening.
Do Guppy Fish Die After Giving Birth?
No, guppy fish do not die after giving birth. However, certain conditions may lead to the death of a guppy fish during or after giving birth.
We often miss the subtle signs of a guppy in labor; by the time we realize something is wrong, it’s too late. Guppy fish may die during or after giving birth due to weak or sick condition of the female, stress during labor, complications during birth, bullying from other fish after giving birth, malnutrition during pregnancy, inadequate water parameters, incorrect water temperature, or old age of the female.
But even then, it is not okay or common for female guppies to die after giving birth. So if your guppy fish dies after giving birth, it is important to take measures to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Why Do Guppy Fish Die After Giving Birth?
I know we want answers for every death that occurs in the tank. We want to find a way to prevent it from happening again. It’s only natural. But when it comes to guppy fish, there are various reasons why they might die after giving birth.
Weak Or Sick Female Guppy Fish
One reason guppies might die after giving birth is if the female is weak or sick. If she were not well before giving birth, likely, she wouldn’t survive the stress of labor and delivery.
The disease might not be apparent to the naked eye, but something as simple as a bacterial infection could cause death in a guppy fish after giving birth.
Stress In Female Guppy Fish
As with any living creature, stress is never good. But unfortunately, for female guppies, the stress of labor and delivery can be too much for their little bodies to handle.
The stress of giving birth can also be compounded by other factors in the tank, such as poor water quality or aggression from other fish.
Complications During Labor
Another reason guppy fish might die after giving birth is if there are complications during labor. For example, if the baby guppies are too large, the mother might not be able to deliver them safely.
Sometimes, the fry will get stuck in your guppy’s birthing canal, called retained fry, and it’s one of the main causes of death in guppy fish post-birth.
Bullying Right After Giving Birth
Unfortunately, sometimes other fish in the tank can be bullies. For example, if larger or more aggressive fish are in the tank, they might harass the mother guppy after she gives birth.
This can cause so much stress that the mother guppy dies.
Malnutrition During Pregnancy
Another reason guppy fish might die after giving birth is malnutrition during pregnancy. If the mother guppy doesn’t have enough to eat, her babies will be born weak and malnourished. This can lead to death for both the mother and the fry.
Inadequate Water Parameters
Another factor that can lead to death in guppy fish after giving birth is inadequate water parameters. If the water quality in the tank is poor, it can cause problems during labor and delivery. It can also lead to complications for the baby guppies after birth.
Incorrect Water Temperature
One of the most common reasons why guppy fish die after giving birth is incorrect water temperature. If the water is too cold, it can cause complications during labor and delivery. Additionally, if the water is too hot, it can lead to stress in female guppy fish, which can also cause complications during childbirth. Therefore, maintaining the correct water temperature is important to prevent guppy fish’s death after giving birth.
Old Age Of Female Guppy Fish
Another reason why guppy fish die after giving birth is old age. Older female guppy fish are more likely to experience complications during childbirth, leading to death.
Additionally, older guppy fish are more likely to be malnourished during pregnancy, which can cause childbirth complications.
How To Prevent The Death Of Guppy Fish After Giving Birth?
The best way to prevent the death of guppy fish after giving birth is to provide them with good care during pregnancy and labor.
I will list all the things you need to do to achieve this.
Give Them Enough Food
First of all, you need to make sure that your omnivorous female guppy is getting enough food during pregnancy and labor.
They need a lot of energy to produce healthy offspring. Therefore, I recommend feeding them live or frozen food such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
You can also give them high-quality dry food that is rich in proteins. This will help them to have a healthy pregnancy and labor.
Give Them A Comfortable Place To Give Birth
Second, you must provide the pregnant female guppy with a comfortable place to give birth. I recommend using a breeding trap or a birthing tank. These tanks are designed to give the female guppy a comfortable and safe place to give birth.
Provide Them With Good Water Conditions
Third, you need to provide the guppy fish with good water conditions. The water should be clean and well-oxygenated.
It is also important to maintain the correct water temperature. The ideal water temperature for guppy fish is between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
It would help if you also avoid sudden changes in water temperature. These changes can stress the female guppy and lead to complications during labor.
Give Them Enough Hiding Spots
You need to provide the guppy fish with enough hiding spots because the female guppy is very vulnerable after giving birth.
They need places to hide from other fish and predators. I recommend using live plants or caves as hiding spots.
What Do I Do After My Guppy Gives Birth?
After your guppy gives birth, removing the fry from the tank is important. This is because the fry is vulnerable, and other fish can easily eat them. Additionally, you need to remove the fry because they will compete with their mother for food.
To remove the fry, you can use a breeding trap or a small net. Once you have removed the fry, you must place them in a separate tank. It is important to ensure that the tank has the correct water parameters and is well-aerated.
You should also provide the fry with plenty of hiding places so that they can feel safe and secure. Once the fry is in their own tank, you can start feeding them baby brine shrimp or crushed flake food.
It is important to keep a close eye on the fry and ensure they get enough to eat. If the fry is not getting enough food, they will not survive.
Once the fry has grown a little larger, you can start introducing them back into the main tank with their parents. However, it would help if you still kept a close eye on them as their parents or other fish may bully them in the tank.
How To Know When Guppy Is Finished Giving Birth?
You will know that your guppy is finished giving birth when she starts to swim again normally and shows no signs of stress. Additionally, her belly should return to its normal size.
If you notice any of these signs, removing the fry from the tank is important as soon as possible. The mother guppy may become aggressive and start to eat her young.
To remove the fry, you can use a small net or cup. Gently scoop them up, being careful not to damage the fins. Then, you can place them in their own tank with similar water parameters to the main tank.
Conclusion
Giving birth is a stressful and dangerous time for any animal, and guppy fish are no different. While many things can cause a guppy to die during or after childbirth, there are also steps that you can take to help prevent this from happening. Understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions can ensure that your guppy fish have a safe and successful delivery. Thanks for reading!
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Good Luck!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!