swordtail

[godzuki]

hi peeps

i have a wee question

i have 2 male swordtails and 3 female swordtails and well 1 of the males is VERY dominant and if the other male tries to mate the females he was promptly chased away.

my husband noticed tonight that the wimpy sword tail is now missing his sword but he has his own wee girlfriend and the 2 males dont appear to have been fighting. actually hubby thought the male had dies cause all appeared female so I did a mad frantic count and colour cheak and thats why i'm asking.

the sword doesn't seem to be torn its as if its shrunk back is this possible or could it be a case of the bully making him seem less pretty so he gets the girls???


sorry its a wee bit long winded but i hope you all understand the prob

also water and temp in tank perfect, in fact scared to do a water change as its so good.

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[Germyzero]

Maybe the dominant male tore of the other male's sword.

 

[fatguppy]

I thought swordtails were supposed to be placid? However, I have to say that we have one male swordtail left (2 fems having died) and he is happy making lurve to the female guppy much to her partner's annoyance. Maybe he's just confused?

Jane xx

 

[Germyzero]

lol. Maybe
Srry For Your Loss Though

 

[subopposite]

From what I have seen, 2 male swordtails in a 20 gallon does not mix well. Good to have a male with 3 females. Same with mollies too. I have had some mean mollies.

 

[godzuki]

its a 30 gallon so I know im ok on that front plus they dont dont fight... the wimpy male just is celibut, popped to my fish shop and they said this can be a very common thing and in fact recently they've had customers coming in and saying that their wimpy swordtails have lost there tail and one customer had a male that gave birth, very very very curious.

kiss kiss
godzuki

 

[paulthegreat]

Swordtails have been known to change sex, but I have not heard of one going from male to female. Interesting! Sometimes, I understand, a female can make a late change and then be a sterile male. Perhaps they can also go back to female, but a sudden sword loss seams more like it was bit off.