Swordtail Hiding

[shortymet55]

Is it normal fora pregnant female to hide before birthing? I have a huge swordtail. She looks pregnant. Decent Gravid spot. Usually so happy going around tank, eats a ton, but for the past like 30 minutes she has been hiding in my piece of wood. She comes out every once in awhile, but then goes right back in. Her fins are still all spread out and she looks healthy. All other fish are perfectly normal. Could she be about to pop?

 

[5teady_2012]

Any chance of getting a photo of her on here?

It sounds like the behaviour of a fish ready to drop, but its also the behaviour of a fish being hassled by males..

If you can get a pic, i can tell ya if she is gonna drop anytime soon.

 

[shortymet55]

ill try to get one. Now shes out swimming around frantically. She isnt being chased.

 

[5teady_2012]

Do you have a breeding trap to place her in?

If so place her in it, leave her overnight and see if she drops, turn the tank lights out and add a tiny bit of food to the trap for her and leave her be

 

[shortymet55]

I have a trap, but dont plan on using it. I dont have space to save many fry if any at all.

 

[5teady_2012]

they can live in the trap for up to 3 weeks, cant your lfs take them off you even if you give them for free at least they will survive.

If not, then dont worry about been pregnant and let her get on with it.

 

[shortymet55]

Pics. They arent good, because like I said, if she out, she moving frantically. Anyways, I got one where althought its blurry, you can see the body shape, and one you can see the gravid spot.

 

[5teady_2012]

This may sound stupid, but are you sure she aint dropping right now?

The reason i say this, is look at her anal area, u can see a slight lump, like its swolen.. she is either dropping now or ready to drop.

The reflection of her i can see she is very wide and thats a good indication shes heavy pregnant.

The backend of her has dropped, but she dont look that big from a side due to the front of her belly aint dropped much (feed her more)