Breeding the guppy
Livebearer. After a gestation of about 4-6 weeks females give birth to live young, usually 20-40 per brood (5-100 reported). Adults eat the fry, so plants, a breeding box or moving the fry helps.
Step by step
Buy 1 male and 2-3 females, or a small group. Pick the best colors for line breeding.
40 L tank with floating plants or a breeding box and a sponge filter. Keep males and females together.
No trigger needed; females give birth about every month once mated.
10-40 young per birth; gestation is about 4 weeks.
Fry are born ready to eat. Feed crushed flake, baby brine shrimp and microworms several times a day. Separate fry from adults or use plants as cover. Sort by size and sex early.
- Overcrowding
- Inbreeding without selection
- Leaving fry with adults
Male or female
Males are smaller and colorful with a big tail and a pointed anal fin (gonopodium). Females are larger and plainer.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for livebearers
- 28 days beforePregnancy
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
- Day 0Birth
Fry are born ready to swim. Thick plants or a breeding box keep them safe from adults.
- Day 0First food
Feed crushed flake, baby brine shrimp or microworms 3–5 times a day.
- Day 28Sexing starts
Males start to show color and a pointed anal fin. Separate them if you want to control lines.
- Day 90Adults
Most livebearers are grown and can breed at about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- The female gave birth.
- With no plants or breeding box, the adults ate most of the fry.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.