Dead Swordtail---worried About Others

[bischowi]

I have just recently bought two Swordtails one male and one female. I've had them for about two weeks now and in the past three the female has had seven or more baby fish and died just after. Before she died she was acting very weird. Well, when i first got them they swam around the tank and seemed just like any other fish, but recently the female had been constantly shaking like she was swimming in place and she was at the surface of the water too. Then right before she died she stopped hanging out at the surface and during this whole ordeal the male has been hiding in a fake log aquarium ornament, which i thought they liked to be up in the females business when she's giving birth. I now have 2 tetras, 4 zebra striped fish, 1 male swordtail, 1 snail, and at least seven baby fish. The male is still hiding. He comes out from time to time but he comes out a lot more when the tank is dark so i am leaving the light off for now. Also I have a thirty gallon tank so i don't think that they are over crowded. Can anybody help or does anyone have any sort of insight on this situation. I still consider myself a beginner so maybe there is just something i am missing. Thank you for the help.

 

[Colin_T]

Shimmying is a common term for when swordtails & other livebearers swim in the same place but don't really go anywhere. It is often caused by poor water quality and a low mineral content in the water. Check the water quality and make sure it is ok. Also check the general (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH) of the water and increase it if it is below 100ppm.