Is This Swordtail Pregnant? If So What Do We Do?

RobGoldsmith · Feb 10, 2011

Hi guys

We need your expert opinions! IS this swordtail about to have fry?

I posted about having platy fry today but looking at the other tank it seems the swordtail might be expecting some, we havent yet had swordtail fry so what can we do? We would like to keep then, do we again fill up with weed? Do we remove the mother and buy a birthing place? Any ideas?

Here is a vid of her, would you agree that she is pregnant? If so any ideas how long? She does have her large black spot on the back but that has looked fairly dark since we got her 7/8 weeks ago. She doesnt look as fat as my platy was though.

http

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYAHJrkrJRo

Thanks

KittyKat · Feb 10, 2011

I can't view the video, so can't help you there.. but best option is to have a small (5 gallon or so) fry tank full of Java moss for the females to give birth in. "Breeding traps" are too small and stressful for most fish. If you don't mind nature picking out only the cleverest fry, leaving them in the tank is also ok, and plants do help.

elisew · Feb 10, 2011

I would agree that she does look pregnant but she looks like she has a bit of time yet. They usually look fit to burst when they`re ready to drop the fry.
You can go one of 2 ways.....either put lots of dense java moss/plants in the tank so that the fry will have somewhere to hide OR remove the female to another tank with lots of java moss in it. Do be aware that you will need to make sure your female (and male if kept together) is well fed because they can sometimes eat the fry.

Good luck, hope you have the splash of tiny fins soon :good: