[JillB]

Hi everyone I am new to this How's everyone?

[JillB]

One of my guppies is pregnant! This is my first time having fish. I'm pretty sure she was pregnant when we bought her and that was a couple weeks ago. She is quite big now and I'm not sure how far along she is? There are other fish in the tank with her too(a female dalmation molly, sword fish, 3 male guppies and a pocostamus). i do want to make sure the babies are going to be safe and need to know what to do? And I don't even know when she will have them!

[Reefing Madness]

[Jakiebabie]

Hi JillB. Welcome to the forum!!

Guppies drop their fry anywhere from 21 - 30 days with the average being 28. Can you check your receipt or account to see what day you purchased her and count it out to today. Are you close to those dates yet?
What size is the tank and do you have any live plants in the tank? Even if you don't a large leafy plastic plant can be floated on the surface to give shelter to the fry when born. They will hang out at the surface for the first day at least and that is why they can get easily eaten.

The other option is a birthing or nursery box, they come in netting and hard plastic. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The trick is knowing what day or evening to put Momma in it. Again, count your days to see where she might be at.
If you get the box but don't get the opportunity to put Momma in it, try to check the tank each morning without putting on the light, use a small flashlight as turning on the light and peering in the top attracts the other fish and they will notice the babies. Drop in some sinking food if you have it and while the other fish are "busy" you can net the babies if they are loose in the big tank and move them into another tank or the nursery box.
Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Hopefully I haven't confused you.

[lakemalawifish]

We had a baby Platy emergency and did not have a birthing box so I used a plastic tupperware type container, drilled holes in the bottom and a few in the sides (guess you could use an ice pick) netted the fry into the container and floated it in the main tank. Worked until we could get out and buy one.

[Canadian Fish]

We have platies and guppies in a 20 gallon and the fry typically get eaten. Recently we had two clever ones who hid in the driftwood cracks until they were old enough to survive. Now they are cute guppies with awesome tail coloration. I have been unable to get them on camera, unfortunately. They come right up to the glass when I grab the camera, which is not quite under the light.

Jakie and Lake have offered sound advice, good luck!

[eaturbyfill]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

[jeaninel]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Yes, unfortunately, the babies most likely will get eaten but if you have a ton of plants and places to hide a few may survive. Also wanted to mention you may want to think about getting another female or two since you have 3 males. Usually the recommended ratio of females to males is 3:1. Good luck with the babies. :)
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[Canadian Fish]

jeaninel I love your avatar!

[JillB]

Thank you so much for your advise I have a 10 gallon tank and i just bought a breeder box. We bought her 17 days ago and she is pretty big now. I have one large plastic plant in the tank. Do i put her in the breeder box now? And how long do the babies have to stay in the breeder box for until they can be free with the other fish?