Swordtail Pregnant :)

[TheSims3Dude]

I usually don't go downstairs to look at my dad's tank but I did today an noticed that his swordtail that I gave him when she was a baby (around August) is pregnant now! I have another swordtail in there too (a male) and about 6 more fish, I cannot wait till she has the babies! There's not a lot of fish in there (maybe 8-9 Tops) so the babies should be ok.. but then he doesn't really have many plants for them to hide in, I'm wondering when she gets a little bigger if I should put her in the breeding trap (or net) if I can find it.. Anyways, I'm really excited to see the 'lil babies when they're born. I haven't had a fish pregnancy in about 6-7 months...

 

[kizno1]

what other fish are in there?

 

[TheSims3Dude]

Umm, a male swordtail, 2 tetras, algae eater, another kind of tetra, and 2 platys, (1 male and 1 female) None of my other fish have ever had babies yet in that tank So I'm pretty excited! I think I'm just going to let her have them without the net or breeding trap, I put some more plants in from my 20 Gallon Tank and they seem to like them alot.

 

[windhopper]

Personally i dont like breeder traps, the last time i used one i released the female and she had some sort of heart attack when she went back in the main tank and within 30 seconds was dead so never again for me. Plants are probably a better and kinder bet for the mother fish (no guarantee that many babys will survive though) and if you put in lots and provide a nice safe haven in the back corners or along the back wall with bushy plants then the fry will be able to hide and grow in relative safety. Some livebearers will eat their young (i dont know about swordtails and platys) but most fish will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths (with the exception of true herbivores)

 

[princessbride10]

If you want to save a majority of the fry, I'd definitely suggest getting some sort of breeder trap/net. I've never used the breeder traps, but I have provided lots of plants and driftwood that the fry can swim under. Every week or so I check under the driftwood for fry and just scoop them into my breeder net. I've also heard of people using large turkey basters to get the stubborn fry out of the tank and into the nets...

Good luck with your swordtails!

 

[TheSims3Dude]

Thanks! Right now my molly is pregnant, and I beleive is going to give birth... but i'm not sure