gravid spot

[newhobby]

Hello all, I have a male and a female swordtail. I've been reading about the gravid spot but I don't know exactly where to find it on her body. Does anyone have a picture of a pregnant swordtail?

 

[Annastasia]

On some colors, it's very hard to see, especially reds, oranges and yellows. And on most bright colors. What color is she?

And also, the gravid spot will be right above her anal fin...if you don't know where that is, it's the fins right before her tummy ends, and tail begins. Also the fin you use to sex them.

 

[newhobby]

She is an orange color. She has a triangular shaped dark spot sort of in the lower middle part of her body.

 

[Annastasia]

That's the gravid spot, then. Unless it looks like coloring? Does it look internal?

And also, let me mention, Livebearers are best kept 2-3 females per male, because otherwise the male will harrass the female, and probably constantly stress her out. If you have more, then they will all at least get a little break.

 

[newhobby]

It does look internal. And I have noticed that the male will sort of nip at that area and follow her around alot. I've been keeping an eye on her for a couple weeks now. How long is their gestation period?

 

[Annastasia]

Okay, then it's the gravid spot. Yes, the male will nip at it. He smells the pregnancy hormones, and they can also do that to try to stress them out and make them abort their fry so they can eat them. The gestation period is usally about a month, but it can take up to two months, especialy if they are having a large batch. I'd advise you to get more females, though, so the male will give the pregnant one a break. Or you could also seperate her...

 

[newhobby]

I think i will go ahead and move her to a maternity breeder. Like I said, I've been watching that spot for a couple weeks now so she should be giving birth soon.

 

[Annastasia]

A breeder net? I wouldn't recommend that, as they can get really stressed out in them and have birthing troubles, abortions, or it could even kill them. If she's just 2 weeks pregnant, I wouldn't put her in yet. I'd at least wait until three weeks, and then, if you want to put her in, only put her in for 3 days at a time, and then take her out for a day. Though, it would be best if you could get a small birthing tank, like a 5-10 gallon. Then you could raise the babies in there too.

 

[newhobby]

I don't have another tank, but i guess i could get a small one for that. Can it be just a fish bowl or a fully functioning tank.

 

[Polardbear]

It needs to be a fully functioning tank. A ten gallon would be good as you can then keep the fry in it after they are born and simply move mom back to her regular home.

 

[newhobby]

Great! Thanks so much for the info.