prego guppy

Question
hi David!  i'm pretty sure my guppy is prego.  i've got in a 29 gallon tank with 16 other fish (other guppies, several diff types of tetra, snails and a sucker fish) and i'm wondering if i should move her to another tank?  and if so, do i need to put her in a tank with sand so she can lay her eggs?  pls help!

Answer
Hi Amy: congratulations on being a guppy grandma...She has a gravid spot on the back of her stomach right near hear anus.  As she gets nearer to the time of giving birth that spot should be black and very pointed.  You will need to move her to another tank... but you wont add any sand... guppies give birth to live young so they don't lay eggs.  What you will want to do is to make sure that you either have a birthing tank for her or that you pack the bottom of the tank with java fern.  Guppies are famously known to eat their young...so the java fern provides a good place for the babies (fry) to hide.  You can remove the mother about a day after she gives birth and put her back into the community tank.  Feed the fry boiled egg yolk or baby brine shrimp.  If you need further instructions on feeding the babies I am always happy to help... dave