Got A Problem: Female Swordtails

[Iron Man]

I don't understand it I've never had a problem with aggression amongst female livebearers. That's why I have 5 swordtails in my 55 gallon with a ratio of 4 females to only 1 male. It was really great the first few weeks but now they are becoming viscious torwards each other. I did have 6 females and now I've only got 4. I'm now suspecting they got killed by the others.

The last thing the smaller male wants to do is mate with them, he's too busy ducking behind the plants and hiding from all the brutality.

Since I've had experience with african cichlids of the malawi flavor now I'm wondering is the aggression caused by me having such a small number of swordtails in such a large tank? The only other fish in there with them at this time are 13 Cardinal Tetras.

I'm taking all of the swordtails out, but I'm wondering if maybe I could put them in the 10 gallon or even 5 gallon with some filter media from the cycled 55 gallon and they would behave differently?

What do you guys think?

 

[Iron Man]

No one knows?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Are you positive they are all females? Females should have no swords on their tails at all, some male swordtails though can develop quite late- male swordtails will be very agressive towards each other though no matter how many females you have. Platies can also look very similar to swordtails, and can also crossbreed with them, so you should also make sure you have no platies in you bunch.

 

[Iron Man]

The only way I know to tell is by what you mentioned. They have no swords on their tails, and they are of adult size. Only the one has a sword and he's the smallest and least aggressive of the bunch. Also, a couple of them have already had babies (which were eaten).

I don't think these have platy in them as they all look full blooded swordie. They're all more elongated than a platie.

 

[Iron Man]

Nevermind. I managed to give them away and I moved the 10 Cardinal Tetras I have left into the 10 gallon I have set up.

Putting some fancy goldfish back in the 55 gallon. Should have kept the 6 I had in there to start with instead of going tropical.

You live and learn.