Live Bearer Fish

When it comes to fish husbandry there are many differences from species to species. Typically female fish lay eggs which are then fertilized outside the body by the male fish. However there are a unique variety of fish known as livebearers that retain the eggs inside the body and give live birth to free swimming fry. This is an exceptional sight to observe and a rewarding way to breed fish. Some well known and long kept fish in the hobby are live bearing. Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, Guppies, Halfbeaks and Ricefish are some of the live bearing fish that we carry.

Live bearing fish are an excellent way to get accustomed to fish husbandry. One of the most difficult parts of breeding fish is the time from when a female fish lays her eggs to the time the fry are free swimming. Issues that occur during that time period are possibly due to the tanks set up not being optimal and the male was not able to properly spread milt. Another issue could be that the water parameters are off causing mold to grow and kill the eggs. If the fish are sharing the tank in a community other fish may harass the female and eat the eggs. Also when the fry hatch they are still absorbing their egg-sacks and cannot swim yet. Fry usually stay compiled together while they do this, this is an extremely sensitive time for them for prior reasons as well.

The process of fertilization of live bearing fish is similar to that of mammals. The female fish is inseminated internally and the eggs developed within the fishes body. The female once ready gives live birth to fully swimming and functioning fry that immediately fend for themselves. Popping out one after another the amount of fry depends on the species of livebearer with some giving birth to 15-20 fry and other giving consecutive live birth up to 150 fry! If there are other types of fish in the tank the fry may immediately become a meal to them. A common practice is to watch the fish give live birth and take out the fry for closer observation. The average gestation period for livebearers is around 4 weeks and the female will become noticeably plump. Occasionally issues occur where the female gets too many fry and is unable to release them properly, this can be fatal for the fish and the fry. Keeping a close eye on your pregnant females is important for best success. Often the fry are so small you may not see them and they could potentially get sucked into hang on filtration systems. It is suggested to keep livebearers with a sponge filter to prevent fry from being caught in the filtration systems. Live bearing fish are rewarding and beautiful!