Did you guppy fish just give birth to fry? Or did you purchase fry from a breeder? Now you may be wondering how long to separate guppy fry. While there are many opinions on the subject, there is no definitive answer. The main reason for separating Guppy fry is to protect them from being eaten by their parents or other fish in the tank. But for how long? How long should you separate Guppy fry?
You should separate guppy fry for at least the first four to six weeks long of their lives. This will give them time to grow and develop into strong, healthy fish. After that, you can slowly start introducing them to the other fish in the tank. But do it slowly and watch for any signs of aggression from the other fish.
This blog post will discuss how long you need to separate your newly born guppy fry or newly purchased fry. We will also talk about why you should separate them, how to do it, and what to do when they are ready to be released back into the main tank with the other fish.
So let’s get started!
How Long Should You Separate Guppy Fry?
Well, it depends on the breeder and the fry themselves. Some breeders will say to wait until the fry are a certain age or size, while others recommend separating them as soon as possible.
There isn’t necessarily a wrong answer, but there are some things to consider before making your decision.
Most guppy owners keep guppy fry apart from adult fish for four to six weeks until they are strong enough not to become a snack.
Smaller fry are also more delicate, and larger fish can easily hurt or injure them. If you have the space, it’s best to set up a separate tank for your fry so they can grow undisturbed.
Some guppy breeders will keep their fry in a breeder box inside the main tank until they are ready to be released. This is a good way to protect your fry from being eaten, but it can get stressful for the fry if they are in close quarters with other fish.
If you decide to release your fry into the main tank, do it gradually over a few days. This will give the fry time to adjust to their new surroundings and avoid being overwhelmed by the other fish.
When released, keep a close eye on your fry to ensure they survive and thrive in their new home.
Do I Have To Separate Guppy Fry?
Yes, you should separate guppy fry because their parents or other fish eat these small babies without a second thought. Guppy fry needs their own tank so they can grow and develop properly.
I know you think it is too expensive to separate fry, but I’m here to tell you it is worth every penny. First, use a large breeding box or something similar if you don’t have the money to buy another tank. Then, you can place those in the main tank until the fry is big enough for you to release in the main tank.
Whether you decide to separate your fry or not is up to you, but there are benefits to both options. It’s important to do what you feel is best for your fish and your situation.
Why Should You Separate Guppy Fry?
Separating or keeping a fry tank seems too much work for many people. They don’t want to have to maintain another aquarium and feel it is just easier to leave them in with the adults.
I am here today to try and persuade you otherwise. There are several very good reasons for separating your fry from the adults as soon as possible.
High Survival Rate
The first reason is that it increases the survival rate of your fry. In the wild, very few fry survive to adulthood.
The main reason is that adult guppy will accidentally and unintentionally eat their babies. It’s not that the adults are being mean or malicious; they are just doing what comes naturally to them.
The fry will still stay at risk even if you have a tank with enough food for adults. This is because the fry are so small that you often overlook them when it comes time to feed the adults.
If you want to keep your guppy fry alive, it is best to separate and keep them in a different tank with no adults around.
No Competition For Food
The fry will compete with the adults for food and often lose out in the main tank. In a fry tank, you can target feed the guppy fry good food and ensure they are getting enough to eat.
You can also do regular water changes in a fry tank, which will help to remove any uneaten food before it has a chance to decompose and pollute the water. In addition, separating the fry can ensure they get enough to eat and grow properly.
Less Stress For The Fry
Another reason for separating the fry is that it reduces stress levels. In the wild, fry are constantly on the lookout for predators. This means they spend a lot of energy swimming around, trying to avoid becoming a snack.
In a fry tank, there are no adults and no other fish for the fry to worry about. This means they can relax and put all their energy into growing.
Reduced Risk Of Disease
The fry are also at a reduced risk of disease in their tank. This is because a separate tank will not constantly expose the fry to the waste products of the adults, which can contain disease-causing bacteria.
By separating the fry, you can help to ensure they stay healthy and have a better chance of survival.
How Can You Separate Guppy Fry?
You can separate Guppy fry using a net to scoop them out of the main tank and into a breeding or grow-out tank. It is best to do this when the fry are around two weeks old.
You can also use a breeder box placed in the main tank. Finally, you can move the fry to a grow-out tank when they are around four to six weeks old.
I suggest you choose a breeding tank and place the parents there until the female gets pregnant. Once the female guppy starts showing signs of pregnancy after mating and spawning between her and the male guppy, remove the male and keep him back in the main tank.
There is a possibility of females getting pregnant in the main tank if you have a well-maintained male-to-female guppy ratio. Even then, you have to separate the pregnant guppy immediately to save the fry and reduce the stress for the pregnant guppy.
Wait until the female gives birth to the young ones and immediately remove the female from the breeding tank as well. The gestation period of guppy fish is just 21 to 30 days, so stay alert there.
You can keep the fry in the breeding tank until they are big enough to stay alive in the main tank. There are various ways to separate Guppy fry, and you can choose the one that works best for you.
What To Do When Guppy Fish Are Separated In Another Tank?
If you just separated your Guppy fish into another tank, don’t worry! This is actually a good thing, as it gives the fry time to grow and develop without being eaten by their parents or other fish.
You’ll need to keep an eye on the fry, as they can sometimes get into the filter and suck up. If this happens, you’ll need to remove them from the tank and put them back in their own space.
Also, you will need to ensure that the tank’s water conditions suit them. For example, maintain the water temperature for guppy fry between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH between six and eight.
You should also keep an eye on the fry’s food supply, as you will need to feed them more often than the adults. Guppy fry is very small and needs to eat several times a day to survive.
You can purchase special fry food from your local pet store or make your own by grinding up flake food or pellets into powder.
Once the fry are about two months old, you can slowly introduce them to the adult tank. Add a few at a time over a week or so, and keep an eye on them to make sure they’re adjusting well.
When Should I Let My Guppy Fry Out Of The Breeder Box?
You can actually let your guppy fry out of the breeder box soon after they are born or wait until they are a month old. That’s right, as soon as those little guys swim around and look for food, you can release them into the fry tank. There is no need to wait for them to grow or develop any further.
In fact, it’s actually better for you to release them into the fry tank as soon as possible. This is because they will have a greater chance of survival if released into a larger body of water where there are more places to hide and food to eat.
But wait for them to become at least one month old before releasing them into the main tank. In the main tank, they will socialize, learn to stay together with the adult guppies, and even make a school.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how long you should separate guppy fry really depends on your situation and preferences. If you’re worried about adult aggression, you can separate them for a few weeks or months. But, ultimately, it’s up to you when you release them back into the main tank.
Please comment below if you have any questions or want to share your experiences! Thanks for reading.
Good Luck!!
Happy Guppy Keeping!!
