Breeding Swordtails

[fishfinderdave]

hi, i have some swordtails in my tank with 2 pleco's, 2 blue rams and 2 gourami's
i have 4 females and 2 males... male fish are (albino and ones yellow)
the 2 males are following the females but there all only seeming to be interested in 1 male....and he's the most colourful of the 2.
how do you tell if there breeding?

2 females are looking bulky..could they be pregnant fish?
every time the yellow male swordtail goes near the females the albino male pushes him away from them....why?
is he wanting to breed with the females?

 

[Bebobb]

They are probally fighting over the female. You have a good ratio going there (2m 4f) If the females are looking plump, then they could be pregnant. Look to see if a gravid spot appears. Livebearers are one of the most eaisest fish to breed. Basically just add water...

 

[fishfinderdave]

ok thanks.
whats a "gravid spot" lol

 

[OldMan47]

A gravid spot is the slightly darker color you will see in the abdomen of a semi-transparent skinned fish like a guppy or a platy. It can be an indication to some people of the fish carrying fry but could also be a simple case of the fish having fed well and not yet eliminated its waste. Most fish do not show the color of a gravid spot although the term gravid means heavy. A fish can be gravid with fry if it is a livebearer or can be gravid with eggs for an egg layer. I think guppy breeders must be responsible for so many people looking for a gravid spot since guppies often show the color better than other fish. Most of my own fish do not show that color shift merely because they are carrying fry but they still become quite gravid with the fry.
A very gravid molly female

A gravid goodeid female

There is a gravid endler female front and center in this picture showing the color people associate with a gravid spot.