Live-Bearer Tropical Fish

The two basic types of tropical fish, are the live-bearers and egg-layers, both of which are self-explanatory. However, it is far easier for hobbyists to successfully breed and raise the live-bearers, as many egg-laying fish need special conditions in which to lay the eggs, and close attention to guarding the eggs while they mature to the hatching point.

Live-bearers are not without their specific breeding problems, either. Depending on the type of fish that you have in a tank, the fry, or young of a live-bearer, are basically mobile food. That means if you have males and females in a tank, you must be prepared to provide conditions where the young can be born and raised, safely.

One of the first conditions, and it applies to almost any of the live-bearers, is to limit the number of males in your tank. Males will pester and stress the females, even though they are pregnant. And because most female live-bearers continue to have babies every 3-5 weeks, after being bred just once, you don't need a lot of males to keep producing young. Generally speaking, one male to 3-5 female livebearers is more than adequate.

When a female live-bearer is near to delivering, you can put them in one of two types of "nurseries" that fit right inside the tank. One is a plastic frame with fine netting, that keeps the young separated from the tank, and the other is a hard plastic box with fine holes, that it is divided into upper and lower compartments. The divider has a slot that allows babies to drop through into the bottom and safety, as they are delivered, but the mother can't get at them.

It can be hard to determine when your live-bearer is due to deliver, but some hobbyists have noted that certain fish will go off their food, and/or hide around plants, the heater, or even stay near the bottom. Another sign is when the gravid spot, that dark area near the anal fin, becomes nearly black, and the abdomen is quite extended.

Some of the more popular live-bearers that come in a variety of colors and types are mollies, swordfish, platys, and guppies.

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