Swordtail Preggers Or Not?

[Atrixblue.-MFR-.]

ok so i'm new so hi all!


i have recently baught 4 sword tails, they were the only four left and seemed ok with eachother,

i noticed the two females have extended tummy's and i woundered if they were pregnant or thats just the way they are! it isnt a problem if they are i have a 2ft tank for them to give birth in. i havent much way of cover in the tank, as my guppy's and pleco have destroyed my plastic plants,

my 2ft tank is empty and has cycled water and filter in it, i know a change in enviroment can cause the guys to "absorb their fry" or give still birth, and cant keep fry in my 4ft tank as my guppy's and silvertip tetra's will be like a hungry kiddie in mcdonalds on a munch fest they clap eyes on a fry at all they go bonkers for bloodworm!

any advice in what to do as i dont know how farr along they would be if they are, and dont want to upset her in a move of tanks if it puts her at risk of still birth or sudden death syndrome due to moving tank from tank in a short space of time. both are adults 4inch long and very pretty rich red in colour and so are the males.

 

[OldMan47]

Let me move this to the livebearer area for you.
Meanwhile a few words to help you.
A tank does not stay cycled without a biological load in it. If you want to preserve a state of readiness, you either need to keep fish in the tank or feed it artificially using some ammonia. I am doing that right now in anticipation of getting some hard to find wild type bettas delivered next week.
A swollen female swordtail is indeed growing some fry. Swordtail females tend to be quite thin compared to many of the other common livebearers unless they are carrying fry.
You will not have good fry survival unless you have adequate cover in the tank. Swordtail fry tend to seek shelter high in the tank so an effective cover will provide lots of nice hiding places near the water's surface. My own preference for java moss for livebearers is not appropriate for swordtails for that very reason.
A move to a new environment is not really stressful for a female to the point of causing any concern if it is done early enough before a fry drop.

 

[Atrixblue.-MFR-.]

Let me move this to the livebearer area for you.
Meanwhile a few words to help you.
A tank does not stay cycled without a biological load in it. If you want to preserve a state of readiness, you either need to keep fish in the tank or feed it artificially using some ammonia. I am doing that right now in anticipation of getting some hard to find wild type bettas delivered next week.
A swollen female swordtail is indeed growing some fry. Swordtail females tend to be quite thin compared to many of the other common livebearers unless they are carrying fry.
You will not have good fry survival unless you have adequate cover in the tank. Swordtail fry tend to seek shelter high in the tank so an effective cover will provide lots of nice hiding places near the water's surface. My own preference for java moss for livebearers is not appropriate for swordtails for that very reason.
A move to a new environment is not really stressful for a female to the point of causing any concern if it is done early enough before a fry drop.

thanks for the advice, my 2ft tank has only been empty for about 7 days, the gravel and filter media havent been cleaned out, perhaps i should just do a change of water.

 

[OldMan47]

If it has only been empty for a week, get some fish into it or start adding some ammonia. You probably still have half of your beneficial bacteria left but you are losing them fast.