Swordtails - Divider Good Idea?

[rossyt99]

Hi,
I have a female Swordtail which I believe to be pregnant and have placed a divider (with small holes pierced in) to separate her from the other 2 Swordtails.(male+female).
The tank is 30" long and the pregnant one has just less than half of tank space to herself. > Would that be enough for it to not get stressed/ allow fry to survive in first stages.

(>I have a floating nursery ready to put fry into when needed)

Any advice appreciated..

 

[scooterchick]

Yes, she'll be fine in that.

 

[Colin_T]

you can leave her in the divided section but add a heap of floating plants. If you don't have floating plants just allow some of the normal plants float around the tank, or use plastic plants. The fry will hide in the plants.
As long as she doesn't appear stressed then she should be fine where she is.

 

[rossyt99]

you can leave her in the divided section but add a heap of floating plants. If you don't have floating plants just allow some of the normal plants float around the tank, or use plastic plants. The fry will hide in the plants.
As long as she doesn't appear stressed then she should be fine where she is.

Thanks> There are some 'Straight Vallis' plants already in tank, and will add some floating plants/ loosen some in aim to float at surface.

Any advice on first type of fry food?? I've used Liquifry on baby Guppies in past> will this be O.K for Swords?

 

[BlackSwords11]

Perfect! If she gets really ripe, u can put her in a breeder cage.

 

[Colin_T]

you can use liquid fry or powdered fry food or newly hatched brineshrimp. The baby brineshrimp is the best food and gets them growing faster. You can also feed micro worms

 

[rossyt99]

Is she actually pregnant, as I can't see much of a 'gravid' spot?? (or just plump?)

Any views (i.e: how long does it usually take for fry to drop?)

 

[Colin_T]

female livebearers are always pregnant

it takes about 4weeks at 25C for the pregnancy. Cooler temps will take longer.

 

[rossyt99]

Thanks, The temp. is 26C and there had been a male in for a week before yesterday's separation method.

(Used a spare condensation tray- cut it to fit and pierced small holes in, but still not much flow of water in her section. May have to cut slits at top to allow more surface movement...)

 

[rossyt99]

(Used a spare condensation tray- cut it to fit and pierced small holes in, but still not much flow of water in her section. May have to cut slits at top to allow more surface movement...)
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