Why doesn't my swordtail give

[Elisabeth83]

I have an adult female swordtail. She's given birth twice since I've had her (3 months) and both times I've only gotten about 10 fry from her. When she gives birth she doesn't look HUGE either like some pictures I've seen.

I know when they are young their first batches are usually small..do you think this is the case with her?

I don't really mind that she is having small batches because I don't want to deal with a lot of fry but I keep reading how others are having 30-50+ fry and wondering why that hasn't happened to me yet.

I'm just curious

Thanks

 

[cometcattle]

Are you watching her give birth from start to finnish?

I ask because she could be eating them.

When my sword gave birth, I saw her drop fry, and spin around and eat a few before they were even free swimming. It happens VERY fast.

EDIT: Also, mine only dropped about 18-20 her first time, after that, I really didn't watch her.

 

[Elisabeth83]

I've never ever seen her give birth, She must always choose to do it at night or something

I knew they ate their fry but I didn't think they did it that fast!! Yikes

I used to put them in breeding nets when they were ready to give birth but I don't bother with that anymore. I just let them have them in the main tank. It is heavily planted. I usually have about 10 survive so that's plenty anyways. I guess if she (and others) are eating them it's fine because I don't need the extra little guys anyways.