1. Sexual Differentiation:
* Male guppies are typically smaller and more colorful than females. They develop a modified anal fin called a gonopodium, which is used for internal fertilization.
* Female guppies are larger and less colorful. They have a genital pore located near their anal fin.
2. Courtship:
* Male guppies engage in elaborate courtship displays to attract females. This may involve flashing their colors, performing dances, and vibrating their bodies.
* The female guppy may choose to accept or reject the male's advances based on his attractiveness and fitness.
3. Internal Fertilization:
* If the female accepts, the male guppy inserts his gonopodium into her genital pore and releases sperm.
* The sperm fertilizes the eggs internally.
4. Gestation:
* The fertilized eggs develop inside the female's body for about 30 days.
* The female guppy can store sperm for several months, so she can continue to produce offspring even after a single mating.
5. Birth:
* The female guppy gives birth to live young, usually between 20 and 100 fry (baby guppies).
* The fry are born fully formed and able to swim immediately.
6. Parental Care:
* Guppies do not provide significant parental care.
* The fry are on their own to find food and avoid predators.
Factors Affecting Breeding:
* Water conditions: Guppies thrive in warm, well-oxygenated water with a pH of 6.8 to 7.8.
* Diet: A balanced diet rich in protein is essential for healthy breeding.
* Tank size: A larger tank with plenty of hiding places will provide more space for the fry to thrive.
* Sex ratio: Too many males can stress the females. Ideally, there should be at least 2 females for every male.
Interesting Fact:
* Guppy fry are born with the potential to develop into either a male or a female. The sex is determined by environmental factors, such as temperature and crowding.
Understanding how guppies breed can help you create a healthy and successful breeding program for your aquarium.