Two mystery fish

[fishfever]

I have discovered two mystery fry (about 3 weeks apart) in our main tank. All livebearers in the tank are female but they have been separated from males for a very long time (more than half a year). I think they are probably tetras, since we have 3 kinds in the tank (although one is by himself, a Von Rio). We also have 5 cories but these two mystery fish are not cories. So that leaves lamp eyes or Buenos Aires tetras (which we have witnessed spawning numerous times in the main tank). The fish are gray colored but still quite small so details are hard to see. I was looking for that little fin bump in front of the tail fin (I forget what it's called now), but I'm not sure it is visible when they are so small or maybe it doesn't develop until later? I guess I'll just have to wait until they are bigger as they would probably just look like little gray blobs on my digital camera now.

[Carl]

I think it will be difficult to identify until a good picture can be taken.

I do know that I have seen female livebearers carry male sperm for quite some time, I just cannot remember if it was as long as six months (but I seem to recall incidences of livebearer births after this long or longer since exposure to males)

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I have had guppies (also livebearers) breed up months after they were removed from the males. They were still giving birth from time to time and it had been several months, possibly as many as 6, after they had last been in with the males.

So that can happen. However, I find it probable that they could be Buenos Aires Tetras or lamp eyes since you said they have been spawning so much.

I can't be completely sure which fish they are but my educated guess is that they are either tetras or one of the livebearers.

[babygeige]

That's a fun problem to have! Let us know when you get a good pic!

[fishfever]

The one that is about 3 weeks old is almost big enough to get a pic of so I may try that next weekend and see if any details can be seen. I have black plastic wrapped around the sides and rear of the tank because I was originally planning to raise brine shrimp in it but I can remove it to get more lighting. These fish seem to be the wrong color for platies, and all of our mollies are white so gray doesn't seem to fit either. I agree bg, this is a fun problem to have. Once I can get a reasonable pic, I'll post it here... thanks!

[parker002]

Female livebearers can store male genetic material inside their bodies for long periods of time, even months, and use it to fertilize eggs whenever they want.

Also, in my experience with my mollies, coloration is similar to hair in humans - I have had 2 black mollies produce orange offspring, who in turn have produced black fry.

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

all of the livebearers I have had/seen have upturned mouths (skimming the surface). Tetra have mouths "in the front"...I know that sounds stupid...I think Molly and guppy can cross breed so if you have both, it could be a hybrid.

Waiting on pictures