Fish give birth in a tank in various ways, depending on the species. Some fish lay eggs, while others give birth to live young.
Livebearers
- Some fish, like guppies, are livebearers. This means they give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs.
- As seen in the YouTube video, the female guppy will find a calm and safe place in the tank before dropping the fry.
- The video shows that after she finds a calm place, it is then time to drop (give birth to) the fry.
- Livebearer fry are able to swim and fend for themselves soon after birth.
Egg-Layers
- Many fish species are egg-layers. They can lay their eggs in different ways, including:
- Scattering eggs: Some fish scatter their eggs on the substrate or plants.
- Depositing eggs on surfaces: Others will deposit their eggs on plants or other surfaces in the tank.
- Building nests: Certain species will build nests to deposit their eggs into.
Key Differences
| Characteristic | Livebearers | Egg-Layers |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Method | Live young | Eggs |
| Development | Inside the mother | Outside the mother |
| Parental Care | Typically little | Varies by species |
| Example Species | Guppies, Mollies | Tetras, Cichlids |
