How to Tell If Your Gramma Fish Is Gravid

Gramma fish or basslets are stunningly colored saltwater fish. They breed easily in the home aquarium and are great for beginners. Technically, female gramma fish do not actually get pregnant, they become gravid. They are egg-laying fish, not live bearers. Since the baby fish develop outside of the female's body, there is not a pregnancy by definition. When a female is developing the eggs she is considered to be gravid. You can watch your fish, both the male and female, for signs that the female is going to lay eggs so that you can prepare a tank to care for the babies and raise them into adulthood.

Things You'll Need

  • Gramma fish
  • Cave
  • Algae
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look at your gramma fish's body. Females that are gravid, or carrying eggs, have very round growing bellies.

    • 2

      Watch for nesting behavior. The male will make a nest by carefully and strategically placing strings of algae in and around a cave.

    • 3

      Watch the male and female after the nest is built. The male will spend his time trying to get the female to follow him to his nest. The female will dutifully follow to lay her eggs.

    • 4

      Observe the male after the eggs are laid. The male tends to the nest and guards the eggs. The egg laying and nesting can last for several weeks.