Many people believe that glofish cannot have babies. This is incorrect. They are very fertile and can produce healthy fry just like the original species. You can legally breed them, but it’s another thing. However, if there are male and female glofish living in the same tank they will naturally have some children. How can you tell if your glofish is pregnant when it finally comes?

Continue reading to learn more!

How To Tell If A Glofish Is Pregnant?

Glofish are not capable of becoming pregnant. Only livebearing fish, such as guppies or mollies, can get pregnant. All five species of glofish can lay eggs. Gravid is the name given to a female glofish that is carrying eggs. Gravid glofish are known for their round and distended appearance, changing appetite and temperament, visible ovipositors, and the courting of males.

All 5 species of glofish are egg scatterers. They are not known to lay eggs in one place, as cichlids are. Worse, no glofish is able to nurture or parent well. They will eat eggs whenever they can.

It is important to get rid of the parents as soon the eggs have been laid and fertilization has finished.

Sorry for the poor quality of this image! This is the one image of a ‘pregnant glofish’ on the internet. Image courtesy of Jojo and My Aquarium Club.

Let’s now take a closer look at the signs and characteristics of a gravid female Glofish.

Swollen And Rounded Appearance

Gravid glofish can carry more than 100 eggs at once. The female will appear heavier, especially in her belly. Your glofish will appear larger than usual.

The gravid period ends and this change in the body is most noticeable. It’s easier to see from the top than the sides.

Look At The Ovipositor

Gravid glofishes are identified by the descent of their ovipositors. All 5 species of glofish have females that release eggs through an orifice called an ovipositor. It is located just behind the ventral fins, and in front the anal fin. The underside of this portion of the fish’s head is visible.

The gravid period will see the ovipositor prominently and turn a stark white hue towards the end. It will protrude from your body.

Change In Behavior

The hormonal changes that are associated with the carrying of eggs can cause a change in a female glofish’s normal temperament. Although it won’t be obvious to us, the gravid female will experience some emotional changes. She will be more distant and withdrawing most of the time. She prefers to be alone.

She might also notice a change in her appetite. It could either increase or decrease. It’s impossible to predict.

You can also observe her behaviour towards men who try to court her. If she is attracted to the person she loves, she will be open to her husband’s courting. If it isn’t the one she wants, she will turn down all his offers.

Bubble Nests

Bubble nests are a common glofish breeding method. These nests are made up of large masses of saliva bubbles.

Here’s how it looks:

How To Tell If Your Glofish Is Egg-Bound?

Gravid glofish, like other egg-laying fish can become egg-bound. A female might have difficulty passing eggs due to stress, abnormalities, or injury. Sometimes this will happen naturally. Amazingly, the eggs are sometimes absorbed by the fish’s bodies. This is a great way to avoid any further problems.

Your glofish might need help to pass the eggs. This involves gently pressing your glofish to release the eggs from her ovipositor.

It’s going be stressful for you and your fish, as you can see. It comes with many potential complications and risks. This procedure is not recommended unless you feel confident in your ability and the condition of your fish.

Frequently Asked Question

Can Female Glofish Lay Eggs Without A Male?

Glofish can lay eggs in a tank without having a male. The eggs will not be fertilized by males. The eggs will soon be eaten by the matriarch, or they will develop fungus and decay.

How Long Do Glofish Stay Pregnant?

Glofish don’t become pregnant because they aren’t livebearers. Instead, they’re gravid. Glofish’s gestation period can vary from a few days to several weeks depending on their age, health, and environment.

If you are interested, here’s a link to our detailed article on ‘pregnant glofish’.

What Do Glofish Eggs Look Like?

The eggs of glofish are not like their parents. They don’t glow or have any color. The eggs are smaller than poppy seeds (1mm), and they have a translucent white color. After fertilization, the eggs turn an amber-yellow hue and develop different body parts.

The eggs will turn white if they aren’t fertilized and then develop fungus. They also quickly decay.

If you are interested in seeing how glofish eggs look in the tank, and getting more information, don’t forget about this article!

This blog has adorable photos of young glofish fry.

How To Tell If Your Glofish Is Male Or Female?

Both male and female fish have bright and colorful dispositions. This makes sexual dimorphism very subtle. The males tend to be a bit larger than the females, and have longer pointed tails and fins.

Final Words: How To Tell If A Glofish Is Pregnant?

This is something I know I have already said a million times in the article. However, glofish do not get pregnant. Pregnancy is only for livebearing fish such as guppies or mollies.

Instead, glofish are now gravid, which is a condition that results in the development of eggs inside their bodies.

A pregnant glofish might have a round, swollen appearance, prominent ovipositor and changes in temperament.