Confused.com

[Jdubz]

I had at least 4 pregnant swordtails, saw the eggs and the eyes, they got really big then they were all slim again....
i've looked around the tank and there is nothing!

There are shed loads of hiding places, lots of moss and two sections of fern rock formations.

Was looking forward to some new babies

 

[GSD]

If you didnt see them giving birth chances are the fry have been eaten, even the mother and other swordtails will eat fry.
What other fish are in the tank?

If not they could be hiding, moss makes an excellent hiding place for fry, and in afew weeks you might just see one or two survivers if they get bigger.

 

[helterskelter]

what other fish do u keep as all fish love to eat fry.
Yes parents will eat them too, but if well feed they tend to be ok.

 

[HCpetraitis]

Thay probably got eaten, or theres a chance they all were very stressed and aborted. Sorry. it happens to me all the tme and I have no idea how to stop it. Its getting annoying!

 

[Jdubz]

ahh fair enough....

I've got 8 lampeyes
6 glowlights
and some other small shoaling fish

 

[helterskelter]

they will all eat babies sadly, she may give birth at night and your never know buy the morning

 

[HCpetraitis]

Yep you got all eating fish. Sorry

 

[Jdubz]

arrgh lol....

still got my 4 guppies growing big and strong!

 

[OldMan47]

If you really want fry, not always the case, try putting a heavy female into a birth tank. I use a 10 gallon tank for that with lots of cover. It will keep the predation down to just the female and as soon as you notice the female has dropped fry, you can remove her to give the fry a chance.

 

[Jdubz]

Thanks oldman... im going to keep an eye on them as one of the gravid spots has gone darker than the rest,

Got a bit of a dilema now as the fighter fry are nearly free swimming and will need to go into the fry tank

 

[mollymae12]

Well maybe let them grow before you try getting another pregnant fish.

 

[OldMan47]

Once your fighter fry are at least a half inch long and maybe a bit more, they will be able to survive having a very heavy livebearer in their tank if there is lots of cover near the top surface where they hang out.