Ways to look for a pregnant red sword tail

[PaintballFan07]

Wat features should i look for in a pregnant red swordtail? thanks in advance

 

[iobre8ks]

a gravid spot near their anus and she will be much larger than normal and before she has the fry she will appear more square.

 

[Polardbear]

If they are red velvets you may not be able to see a gravid spot. You'll just have to watch for her looking more squarish than round. Try to look down on her from above and behind.

 

[PaintballFan07]

thanx for the replies. I have 2 females and 1 male and the females look really fat. There is a dark spot that i can see through its skin and it is towards the end of the stomach.

 

[paulthegreat]

Yep that sounds like a gravid spot. Just behind the belly and sort of triangular. When the gravid spot gets more pentagon or square shaped then she is getting real close!

 

[PaintballFan07]

Yep that sounds like a gravid spot. Just behind the belly and sort of triangular. When the gravid spot gets more pentagon or square shaped then she is getting real close!

That is exactly wat i was talkin about. If i want to keep the fry n they are in a 125g commumity. Should i move them into a 10g? wat should i feed the fry? N how often should i do water changes. thanks for the help

 

[paulthegreat]

I have my fry in a 14.25 gal and feed them twice a day with crushed flakes and I give them a frozen mush of brine shrimp and cooked peas with vitamins that I get from my lfs. They also get black worms and brine shrimp. Since I have so many and they are different sizes I try to keep it varied but crushed flakes they get every day. They sell baby food for the fry but I have not tried it. Just make sure the 10gal is cycled since fry are a bit more sensitive then adults. I have an algea eater in with them to help keep it clean. Keep an eye on the nitrate level since it goes up faster with the extra feedings. Partial water changes and gravel vacs are needed.HTH

Paul

 

[PaintballFan07]

I have my fry in a 14.25 gal and feed them twice a day with crushed flakes and I give them a frozen mush of brine shrimp and cooked peas with vitamins that I get from my lfs. They also get black worms and brine shrimp. Since I have so many and they are different sizes I try to keep it varied but crushed flakes they get every day. They sell baby food for the fry but I have not tried it. Just make sure the 10gal is cycled since fry are a bit more sensitive then adults. I have an algea eater in with them to help keep it clean. Keep an eye on the nitrate level since it goes up faster with the extra feedings. Partial water changes and gravel vacs are needed.HTH

Paul

Thanx for the help Paul.

 

[fishguy18]

Make sure you have an air stone or something as well...the extra oxygen will help keep levels low and fish growth high

Good luck with the fry

 

[paulthegreat]

I am feeling a bit guilty for my false flying fox. It did not seem happy in the community tank so I thought it would be happier as the big fish in with the fry but it spends most of the time hiding in a clay pot that I have drilled some holes in. It goes from hole to hole and looks out to see what is happening but is very shy. I give it an algea wafer every few days and it looks healthy enough but I think it may be a bit lonely.

 

[PaintballFan07]

Make sure you have an air stone or something as well...the extra oxygen will help keep levels low and fish growth high

Good luck with the fry

Thanks!