John Shachter - 2007-11-15 I have 4 swordtails (listed as pineapple swords)in my 30gal long tank: two of each sex. The one male seems to be the "alpha male". This observation was made when watching the his activities as it appears he is trying to mate with one or both of the females. He would chase off the other male, while keeping the two females hurded.
What was very interesting to watch was what appeared to be a mating ritual dance preformed by the male. He would start from a stand still and dart forward about several inches, and just as quickly, do the same in reverse. He didn't turn around, but actually went straight back. He would go back and forth a couple of times... and then rest. I witnessed this behavior a couple of times.
Unfortunately, I don't know the temp of my tank, as I need to get a new one. However I had turned on the heater the other day, as it is getting much cooler in my apartment. I am thinking that the warming of the water has spawned this new activity. I do have some live plants, one which is probably over 3' in length (planted in a corner). I pushed this plant in at several places along its length to keep it from all floating along the top.
Hopefully this will give any fry produced a somewhat safe haven to hide while they grow.
Karen - 2007-10-16 I have a 20 gallon tank with guppies, and albino cory cats. Today I added 2 females and 1 male red swordtail to the tank. While I was introducing the fish to their new home, I noticed that the fish were going crazy eating something at the bottem of the bag. With a closer look I noticed 6 babies at the bottem of the bag. Now I do not know if the babies were caught in the net while buying the fish at the store, or did one of the females have the babies during transport from the store to my home. I bought 3 fish and put 9 in my tank! The babies are in a breeding tank doing very well, and are eating regular flake food that lays at the bottom of their tank. I guess I will need to get a bigger tank now!
tabrez - 2007-06-15 the hifin lyretail swordtails are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish one can see!! also the regular swordtails are real fun and interesting to breed to various strains and colour combinations.... overall swordtails are my favourite livebearer!!
Natalie - 2007-05-12 These fish are fun to have, and they have such cute babies. I have a pregnant female right now actually! They live along side my upside-down catfish, and three of my male guppies.
Josh - 2007-03-22 i really like these fish!! i have a male and a female had 2 males but it got bullied and the other fish killed it and had an early dinner! My females stomach/tummy part is getting bigger. Im guessing she is pregnant.
Jackie - 2007-02-22 I bought 4 swordtails: 3 young females and 1 adult male. Now I recently noticed that the fish that I thought was a female is growing a swordtail! I guess it must be puberty when it hits. I can't believe it.
Tahna - 2007-01-10 All I can say is...WOW! I have never had a fish have babies and I bought 3 swordtails. two died but the living female was pregnant{when we bought her, i think} but she had her babies and ate a few :-( but we saved 4 and today {a month later} she had 13 more!mind you she has been alone. Finally I think the black, telling, spot is gone. I hope she is done..lol. I'm just scared to put the "new" babies in with the "teenagers" lol.
Mr. Sean - 2006-11-19 I am 13 years old and i love breeding swordtails. I currenly have 87 fry. The mothers will not eat their babies until about 1-2 hours after ALL LABOR. Keep an eye on the mother if you have a pregnant one. The longest one has been through labor is about 3 1/2 hours, the shortest is about 1 hour. Good luck with all of your swordtail breeding
The most popular fish next to the Guppy is most certainly the Swordtail!
I have 4 swordtails (listed as pineapple swords)in my 30gal long tank: two of each sex. The one male seems to be the "alpha male". This observation was made when watching the his activities as it appears he is trying to mate with one or both of the females. He would chase off the other male, while keeping the two females hurded.
What was very interesting to watch was what appeared to be a mating ritual dance preformed by the male. He would start from a stand still and dart forward about several inches, and just as quickly, do the same in reverse. He didn't turn around, but actually went straight back. He would go back and forth a couple of times... and then rest. I witnessed this behavior a couple of times.
Unfortunately, I don't know the temp of my tank, as I need to get a new one. However I had turned on the heater the other day, as it is getting much cooler in my apartment. I am thinking that the warming of the water has spawned this new activity. I do have some live plants, one which is probably over 3' in length (planted in a corner). I pushed this plant in at several places along its length to keep it from all floating along the top.
Hopefully this will give any fry produced a somewhat safe haven to hide while they grow.
I have a 20 gallon tank with guppies, and albino cory cats. Today I added 2 females and 1 male red swordtail to the tank. While I was introducing the fish to their new home, I noticed that the fish were going crazy eating something at the bottem of the bag. With a closer look I noticed 6 babies at the bottem of the bag. Now I do not know if the babies were caught in the net while buying the fish at the store, or did one of the females have the babies during transport from the store to my home. I bought 3 fish and put 9 in my tank! The babies are in a breeding tank doing very well, and are eating regular flake food that lays at the bottom of their tank. I guess I will need to get a bigger tank now!
the hifin lyretail swordtails are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish one can see!! also the regular swordtails are real fun and interesting to breed to various strains and colour combinations.... overall swordtails are my favourite livebearer!!
These fish are fun to have, and they have such cute babies. I have a pregnant female right now actually! They live along side my upside-down catfish, and three of my male guppies.
i have a pregnant female and a male and they are both very fantastic fishes.
They will eat almost everything you give them also.
I have 2 swordtails in 36 gallon tank and they do fantastic with all other of my community fish (gourami, mollies, guppies).
i really like these fish!! i have a male and a female had 2 males but it got bullied and the other fish killed it and had an early dinner! My females stomach/tummy part is getting bigger. Im guessing she is pregnant.
I bought 4 swordtails: 3 young females and 1 adult male. Now I recently noticed that the fish that I thought was a female is growing a swordtail! I guess it must be puberty when it hits. I can't believe it.
All I can say is...WOW! I have never had a fish have babies and I bought 3 swordtails. two died but the living female was pregnant{when we bought her, i think} but she had her babies and ate a few :-( but we saved 4 and today {a month later} she had 13 more!mind you she has been alone. Finally I think the black, telling, spot is gone. I hope she is done..lol. I'm just scared to put the "new" babies in with the "teenagers" lol.
I am 13 years old and i love breeding swordtails. I currenly have 87 fry. The mothers will not eat their babies until about 1-2 hours after ALL LABOR. Keep an eye on the mother if you have a pregnant one. The longest one has been through labor is about 3 1/2 hours, the shortest is about 1 hour. Good luck with all of your swordtail breeding