Do Swordtails Nip?

[Ny82]

I witnessed one of my new male swordtails mating with my lyretail female and was what looked like nipping at her I thought I was just seeing things as the tank lights were off but when I put the light on this morning - I couldn't believe it my beautiful girls tail is shredded

My girl

the male in question

Are they nippy? It's the only thing I can think of. I am worried for my male fighter now but he just gets ignored as he does his own thing-i've inspected his fins and he's fine.

Also-the 2 rainbow platy females (one of them is in that pic of the male) have still haven't dropped so I think they are just overfed lol

 

[Dieses Madchen]

They can be. What is your male to female ratio?

It also could be the male fighter nipping.

 

[Ny82]

I haven't witnessed the fighter doing it but that doesn't mean he couldn't. He is really laid back and just swims about by himself.

I have 2 male swordtails, 1 female lyretail, 1 female swordtail (she is very young and small) and 3 female platies so 2 males 5 females-is that ok?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

thats actually perfect. A lot of times a male swordtail will bully one female if there arent enough females in the tank, but you ratio rules that out

 

[Ny82]

Thanks. I saw him do it but didn't think anything of it until I saw her tail this morning, but she's active and eating and chasing that little swordtail female away. I will keep an eye on it in case it's something else.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Maybe its a case of rough love! Maybe some fish are into that.

 

[Ny82]

I read online somewhere that they can be nippy when breeding but I can't find it anywhere now. She chases the other females too they all just chase each other

 

[OldMan47]

A male swordtail can indeed be a bit aggressive toward a specific female. That will not detract from the ability of that pair of fish to breed. As long as the aggressiveness is not excessive, things will proceed just fine.

 

[Ny82]

A male swordtail can indeed be a bit aggressive toward a specific female. That will not detract from the ability of that pair of fish to breed. As long as the aggressiveness is not excessive, things will proceed just fine.

Thanks Oldman. I just don't want her distressed, her poor tail looks awful. I was starting to think it was fin rot but I witnessed it with my own eyes. She is the one who gets nipped the others are fine.

 

[*pete*]

My female Swords give as good as they get if the males push it too far !

I have found Swords need more space than Platy's, I would swop one of the male swords for another female or a male Platy.

 

[Ny82]

My female Swords give as good as they get if the males push it too far !

I have found Swords need more space than Platy's, I would swop one of the male swords for another female or a male Platy.

I hope her tail grows back, but she does chase the female platies so she can stand up for herself.
I am thinking of having one swordtail male, the lyretail female and get another female swordtail. I didn't realise how big they get until I saw green ones in dobbies yesterday and they must be at least a good 3-4 inches long maybe even longer-they were huge and I have a 64 litre tank so i'm getting a bit worried as I love them but need to give them the space they need. Do you think that would be a better setup.

 

[*pete*]

My female Swords give as good as they get if the males push it too far !

I have found Swords need more space than Platy's, I would swop one of the male swords for another female or a male Platy.

I hope her tail grows back, but she does chase the female platies so she can stand up for herself.
I am thinking of having one swordtail male, the lyretail female and get another female swordtail. I didn't realise how big they get until I saw green ones in dobbies yesterday and they must be at least a good 3-4 inches long maybe even longer-they were huge and I have a 64 litre tank so i'm getting a bit worried as I love them but need to give them the space they need. Do you think that would be a better setup.

I'm sure it will grow back, IMHO I would stick with Platy's in your lovely set up.