My "male" Swordtail

[andriab]

This is my first time owning swordtails. I asked for one male, two females. This is apparently my male. I see no male parts. It also looks like it has the gravid spot. He said it is a male because of the sword on his tail, but it seriously looks like a girl to me. Am I wrong or is the lfs owner wrong?

 

[betta fish]

It is a Juvi male swordtail, females do not get the sword like projection on their tail, I see what you mean about the gravid spot though, I have read some instances of swords changing sex although I don't know how true they are! 

 

[andriab]

It is a Juvi male swordtail, females do not get the sword like projection on their tail, I see what you mean about the gravid spot though, I have read some instances of swords changing sex although I don't know how true they are!

This is why I asked, because males have the swords. Yet, I don't see boy parts, and then a gravid spot. Thanks for answering. I guess the LFS owner was right after all

 

[dave840f1]

I think it's a myth about swords changing sex.

 

[andriab]

I think it's a myth about swords changing sex.

I have never heard of fish changing sex. Interesting, but sounds unlikely to me as well.

 

[dave840f1]

Some people think female Swords change sex bet I think the explanation is that they are late developers, same as humans really.
Just a follow up note I have had many male green Swords with what looks like a gravid spot and kept it all there lives and were fertile.

 

[andriab]

Some people think female Swords change sex bet I think the explanation is that they are late developers, same as humans really.Just a follow up note I have had many male green Swords with what looks like a gravid spot and kept it all there lives and were fertile.

Ok, it is good to know that other males have had that dark spot.

 

[RockabillyGuy]

Yes within swordtails there exist both - late developers and sex changers.I had female swordtail who gived birth twice. Later she changed sex and become normal male with gonopodium and sword. Its the only livebearer I saw "changing sex"

 

[the_lock_man]

I have heard of female swordtails who grew the sword later in life, but I'm not sure about whether these grew the gonopodium. I can see a logical reason why they would, in as much as it would probably be a lack of female hormone that caused both to happen. I have not heard any credible evidence that suggests that these fish produced sperm, which to me is the test of "maleness" or "femaleness".
 
Remember that in some seahorses, the male is "pregnant" (ie carries the foetus) but because it is that fish that produces the sperm, not the ovum, he is a male.

 

[RockabillyGuy]

After transformation my swordtail had fully developed gonopodium and strong intrest in females. In what I´m considered too - can "this anomalia" produse sperm? All it happens in my childhood(I`m 42 now). All seems strange and not normal, and I gave this fish to my Friend -  so no evidence about sperm formatting by me.

 

[RockabillyGuy]

May be member Andriab can post new picture some 11.nov? 1 month is enough to see progress, if it is what I think.

 

[antoniolee]

maybe it's not sexually mature yet.

 

[bluesword23516]

You can't use the gravid spot. I never use it when sexing fish.  The anal fin looks more like the males gonopodium. 

 

[Jamowens]

Dad has swortails in his tank Females change to Males quite often .

 

[andriab]

Thanks for all the info! It looks like it is definitely a male after all.