Pregnant Swords

[coyemuse]

Hey I have 4 red wag swords that appear to be pregnant (the male sword died about 17 days ago), and they've recently been isolating themselves in four opposite parts of the tank and nipping at each-other a bit when its feeding time. They are the only fish in a 38 gallon tank (other than a few fry that keep popping up). I'd like to know:

Whats the ideal temperature for theses girls?

How much and how often should I feed them?

Is it possible to over-feed them?

Would they do better with more lights on time or more lights off?

Is it common for them to purposely bump their bellies on the tank decorations?

And any other useful tidbits of info you have for me.

Thanks!

 

[Cazgar]

By bumping their bellies do you mean they're flicking on the decor?
Sounds like they could have ich

 

[coyemuse]

By bumping their bellies do you mean they're flicking on the decor?
Sounds like they could have ich

There is one specifically that almost swims full speed toward the larger rocks and "cave" type decorations, and literally bumps her belly on it, I watch her do this several times, then she'll just go back to the corner she likes....

 

[snazy]

By bumping their bellies do you mean they're flicking on the decor?
Sounds like they could have ich

There is one specifically that almost swims full speed toward the larger rocks and "cave" type decorations, and literally bumps her belly on it, I watch her do this several times, then she'll just go back to the corner she likes....

This behaviour sounds like your fish are not feeling well. They don't stay in a corner normally, or bump against decorations.
The flicking/bumping that you see could be caused by a lot of different things.
First thing to do is a water change urgently and check your water parameters for ammonia/nitrites as this is one of the reasons they may flick, hide in the corners, become aggressive, etc..
If it is ich, keep in mind that your fish could be infected for 2 weeks before you even see any visible sign like a white spot.

 

[coyemuse]

Are there any responses to my other questions as well?

 

[snazy]

Whats the ideal temperature for theses girls?-constant temperature. They tolerate a wide range of temps otherwise, maybe between 75-82

How much and how often should I feed them?-once a day maybe, as much as any of the food doesn't fall to the bottom. You've probably heard the saying that a fish's stomach is as big as their eye.

Is it possible to over-feed them?- Absolutely. And this will directly or indirectly kill them if you keep overfeeding regularly

Would they do better with more lights on time or more lights off?- I think any fish deserves to be left to wake up from rest for themselves and not suddenly by turning the tank lights full blast in a completely dark room. Besides that, you just need to give them at least 8 hours to rest.

Is it common for them to purposely bump their bellies on the tank decorations? -This indicates an irritant, whether it is a sickness like parasite or water quality issues you have to find out additionally

 

[coyemuse]

In regards to the lights on or off, I work nights, is it okay to have them on the same schedule as I am?? I live in a studio apt so I'm in the same room with them

 

[snazy]

I guess whatever suits you best, I can't tell. It depends how many hours you are away from home. I'd say you need to look into more than 12 hours darkness as otherwise you may start getting algae. So if you are away around 12 hours or longer, you can turn off the lights before you go to work and turn them back on when you go home sometime before you go to sleep. That's ofcourse if the lights don't annoy you in the same room, but since you probably sleep during the day.....

You can also get an adaptor that can be set to switch the lights on and off for you.

 

[coyemuse]

For the last couple of weeks Ive had the tank lights on from about 8pm to 7:30am, then off all day (with a little bit of natural daylight....)

 

[snazy]

I would do it the other way round, off when at work and on when home. That way you get to see your fish, but to the fish don't matter. If you have the lights on at night, and your room is also bright from sunlight, then you are only asking for trouble with stressed fish and algae.

 

[OldMan47]

You only need artificial light in a fish-only tank if you want to watch your fish. Natural light along with the room lighting that you use is plenty for a fish's real needs. If you have plants, the lighting should be matched to the plants' needs since that is the thing that will need artificial light. A 12 hour light cycle is an invitation to extreme algae growth. I limit even my heavily planted tanks to about 8 hours of bright light each day.

This is what I mean by heavily planted.

I find that swordtails do best around 72 to 74F although they can be kept somewhat warmer if that is needed for other fish that are present.

 

[coyemuse]

Okies I'll limit their light a bit. What if I do like from when I get home til when I go to bed?

 

[sheffieldlad]

Give us times. When I get home till I go to bed is not enough information. How much time elapsed between the two events?

 

[coyemuse]

I get home between 730 and 830am and go to bed between 1 and 3pm

 

[OldMan47]

That should be plenty unless you are trying to grow plants.