Swordtails fight?

[snotirl]

I watch my male swordtail and he seems to use his swordtail like a weapon backing in to fish with it pokinh them with it? is that what its there 4?

 

[AquaNut]

A male swordtail's 'sword' is just an elongated caudal fin that develops when the fish is a juvenile. If a sword is in poor condition or his water is, the sword will be the first thing to deteriorate. It isn't a weapon. I'm not sure why your swordtail is swimming backwards or backing up, as you put it, though. That doesn't sound quite right to me.

 

[snotirl]

Ye its like he is fighting with it i tought thats whats it is for?!?

 

[my_fallen_angel]

my male started doing that and then my female became pregnant, mabey hes trying to mate?

 

[snotirl]

I dont know he does it to a male silver mollie as well!?!

 

[guppymonkey]

Male swordtails sometimes use their "swords" to fight each other. Kind of like how guys fight over girls, its a male aggressive thing. My swordtails do it all the time, its kind of funny looking. They don't seem to hurt each other, I have had both swordtails since the day I joined this forum and they are both in seemingly fine health. If your swordtail is "fighting" other fish besides his own species he could just be aggressive so I would keep an eye on him.