Live Bearing Aquarium Fish: A Guide to Breeding, Care, and Troubleshooting

Live bearing aquarium fish, also known as viviparous fish, are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike. These fish give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs, which makes them easier to breed and care for than egg-laying species.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of live bearing aquarium fish, their care requirements, and how to breed them successfully. We will also provide some tips and tricks for troubleshooting common problems that you may encounter when keeping these fish.

Types of Live Bearing Aquarium Fish

There are many different types of live bearing aquarium fish, including:

Guppies

Mollies

Platies

Swordtails

Wagtails

Endlers

Each type of fish has its own unique appearance and temperament, so it is important to do your research before choosing a species that is right for your aquarium.

Care Requirements for Live Bearing Aquarium Fish

Live bearing aquarium fish are relatively easy to care for, but they do have some specific requirements. These fish need a well-filtered and heated aquarium with plenty of live plants. They also need a diet that is high in protein.

The following table provides a summary of the care requirements for live bearing aquarium fish:

Parameter	Value
Water temperature	75-80 degrees Fahrenheit
pH	7.0-8.0
Hardness	10-20 dGH
Filtration	Yes
Heater	Yes
Live plants	Yes
Diet	High-protein diet

Breeding Live Bearing Aquarium Fish

Breeding live bearing aquarium fish is relatively easy. The fish will naturally mate and give birth to live young. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success.

Make sure the fish are healthy and well-fed.

Provide the fish with a clean and well-filtered aquarium.

Keep the water temperature between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add live plants to the aquarium.

Feed the fish a high-protein diet.

Wait for the fish to mate and give birth to live young.

The following table provides a step-by-step guide to breeding live bearing aquarium fish:

Step	Instructions
1	Make sure the fish are healthy and well-fed.
2	Provide the fish with a clean and well-filtered aquarium.
3	Keep the water temperature between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
4	Add live plants to the aquarium.
5	Feed the fish a high-protein diet.
6	Wait for the fish to mate and give birth to live young.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Live Bearing Aquarium Fish

There are a few common problems that you may encounter when keeping live bearing aquarium fish. These problems include:

Fin nipping: This can be caused by a variety of factors, including overcrowding, poor water quality, and boredom.

Disease: Live bearing aquarium fish are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including ich, fin rot, and dropsy.

Pregnancy problems: These fish can experience a variety of pregnancy problems, including premature birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage.

The following table provides some tips for troubleshooting common problems with live bearing aquarium fish:

Problem	Solution
Fin nipping	Reduce overcrowding, improve water quality, and provide more enrichment activities.
Disease	Treat the disease with an appropriate medication.
Pregnancy problems	Ensure that the fish are healthy and well-fed, and that the water quality is good.

Success Stories

Here are a few success stories from people who have successfully bred live bearing aquarium fish:

"I have been breeding guppies for over 10 years, and I have never had any problems. My fish are healthy and happy, and they produce a lot of fry." - John Smith

"I recently bred a pair of mollies, and I was amazed at how easy it was. The fish mated naturally, and the female gave birth to a healthy litter of fry." - Jane Doe

"I had a pair of swordtails that were not mating, so I tried a few different things to get them to breed. I eventually found that increasing the water temperature to 80 degrees Fahrenheit did the trick." - Tim Jones

Conclusion

Live bearing aquarium fish are a great choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike. These fish are relatively easy to care for, and they breed easily. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can successfully breed and raise live bearing aquarium fish.

Live Bearing Aquarium Fish: A Guide to Breeding, Care, and Troubleshooting