I don't want my swords to breed

[cutechic]

I'm going to be keeping 2 platies (both are male, I think) with three marigold swords and some cory cats. I was thinking 2 female swords and 1 male, but I realised I don't have much room if (when) I get more fry. If I have 2 male swords, will the 1 female sword get too stressed?

 

[guppymonkey]

The female will be stressed but I would worry more about the males. Male swordtails are very competitive and will fight a lot especially if there aren't enough females. I would get one male and one female or just one male if you don't want to worry about fry.

 

[cutechic]

If I get one male and one female sword, will the female still be stressed because of the 2 male platies? I know platies and swords are related and can breed.

 

[guppymonkey]

I am sorry I didn't read that part about the male platies also being in the tank. In a situation where you don't want breeding to be going on and have a lot of males I wouldn't suggest getting any females. A tank without females is easier because of stress levels and you also wouldn't have to deal with them breeding.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I agree. The male platies will still try to breed with the female because mating and eating are all that thye ever think about. Even if they would prefer their own species, they'd readily breed with the swords if there weren't any othe fish available.

 

[cutechic]

Ok, so should I get 2 or 3 male swords?

 

[Morrgan]

Is this for the 10g? Keep in mind that male swordtails get quite big (4in including the tail) and due to their slight aggression towards each other, having several in a tank that small is not a good idea.

 

[cutechic]

Is this for the 10g? Keep in mind that male swordtails get quite big (4in including the tail) and due to their slight aggression towards each other, having several in a tank that small is not a good idea.

Yes, it is for the 10 G. How many swords should I have in there then? I'm having 2 male platies and some corys in the 10 G as well . I've got 2 male platies in a 5 gallon right now, and although they chase each other sometimes, they seem to be doing fine. I'm going to have lots of plants in the 10 G, if that makes any difference.

 

[Morrgan]

I'm afraid I can't recommend any swordtails for a tank that small. I suppose I should've mentioned that in the previous post. As I said, they grow to about 4 inches, making them quite large fish. I'd say the minimum is about 20g.

 

[cutechic]

I'm afraid I can't recommend any swordtails for a tank that small. I suppose I should've mentioned that in the previous post. As I said, they grow to about 4 inches, making them quite large fish. I'd say the minimum is about 20g.

Really? Lots of people said I could keep a couple swords in a 10 gallon. I know they get pretty big, but you don't can't the tail in the inch-of-fish-per-gallon rule anyway.

 

[cutechic]

Does anyone else have an opinion about this? I've seen many people with swordtails in their 10 gallons.

 

[panboy]

Does anyone else have an opinion about this? I've seen many people with swordtails in their 10 gallons.

lots of people dont know how to properly take care of fish. fish stores will tell u it will be fine because they are making money.
im with cutechic, kind of. i wouldnt push it, but its possible. max i would put 2, with maybe a max of 2 corys. If you watch the water carefully, it can work.

right now my tank is REALLY overstocked. im waiting for my 46g to finish cycling which is almost done. but i have 4 platies, 3 corys and fry that pop up every month (lol). I usually dont have this much, but I got the cory for really cheap, and I thought if i could watch the water carefully for the couple of weeks, it would be fine.

Your choice really, u should know how committed u are to watching and caring the tank

 

[cutechic]

I'm willing to do lots of extra maintenance now. I've got tons of time.

In this post, people say a 10 G with 2 swords, 2 platies, and some cories will be understocked.

 

[Morrgan]

It's not overstocking and the maintenance that's a problem, it's simply that the swordtails won't have enough room to swim in a small tank. How long and wide is a 10 gallon? Compare the length and width with the size of a fullgrown swordtail and maybe you'll see what I mean.

This is my opinion and I know many other aquarists share it. Still, others may disagree, so I suppose you have to make up your own mind about who you listen to. I just hope you make your decision based on what will be good for the fish, not on what you want for yourself.

 

[cutechic]

All right Would platies have enough room in the 10 gallon? I already have two in my 5 gallon, so I'd like to transfer those to the 10 gallon and hopefully buy a couple more. I know they have the same sized body, but they don't have the long sized tails that swords do.