How to Tell When Your Guppy Is About to Give Birth?

While it's always helpful to know exactly when your female guppy conceived her litter so that you can be prepared, it isn't always possible. The average gestation period for a female guppy is 28 days. This can vary among individuals and from litter to litter in the same specimen, and could be anywhere from 21 to 40 days. It's more practical to observe your fish closely for signs of impending delivery.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check your pregnant guppy every day and watch her for awhile. Look at her belly. It will be quite large and very round and rather bulbous in appearance as her pregnancy progresses and she approaches delivery.

    • 2

      Observe the pregnant guppy's belly closely from all angles. Look for a large dark spot that will develop at the rear of her abdomen when her time is very near. This dark area is referred to as the gravid spot. You should see the silhouettes of the bodies of some of the fry within the very distended abdomen.

    • 3

      Watch the guppy's behavior patterns. When her cumbersome abdomen takes on a somewhat blocky appearance, she will become very still for awhile. Observe her gravid spot closely, and you'll see it dilate just before she begins giving birth.