Pregant Swordtail

[chowie]

I have a pregnant swordtail, it has only given birth to 4 fish, but a few weeks ago it give birth to 13. I have two guppies that will not leave it alone and wondered if it was because she is pregant, since she gave birth to the 3 I moved her into a breeding tank, but I am worried that this is going to stress her out as she has not giving birth since.Can someone please help.

 

[vidiots]

I have a pregnant swordtail, it has only given birth to 4 fish, but a few weeks ago it give birth to 13. I have two guppies that will not leave it alone and wondered if it was because she is pregant, since she gave birth to the 3 I moved her into a breeding tank, but I am worried that this is going to stress her out as she has not giving birth since.Can someone please help.

How big is the breeding tank? Placing the mother in too small of a container can stress her and cause her to hold off giving birth and even cause still born fry. Breeder nets/traps often cause them to panic and fight to escape.

I've been breeding platies for years, but am somewhat new to swordtails myself. In the past I've gotten away with using a small tank like 2.5 to 5 gallons for the mother platy to give birth in without stressing her. But one of the things I've recently noticed with the swordtails is they do not seem to be as tolerant and may need a 5 to 10 gal tank minumum to avoid the stress.

I think it may have something to do with the various breeds, with the larger variations being less comfortable in small containers. A 10gal birthing tank can be setup fairly cheap. Others here will probably recommend even larger tanks. However, if you have had your fish long enough to know their normal behavior you can try other options and watch carefully for any changes in behavior as a sign of stress. Then you will know for yourself what you can and can't get away with.

I've also noticed that 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.. generations don't seem to get spooked as easily as the origional generation. I assume this is because they are more comfortable with the enviornment and don't know of any other.

 

[chowie]

Hi, thanks very much for the advice, I have since taken her out of the breeding trap, apart from being chased by my guppies she seems alot happier. I was tring to save the fry but I think I did worse by putting her in there. Oops, she is defiantly alot more better now, sadly no more fry. I saved 5 there in a breeding box, there is one still out but the little bugger is hiding behind the filter and I cannot rescue him. But they are all healthy and well. Thanks very much. h