My swordtail is having babies RIGHT NOW! (whats next?)

[JamesBenjamin]

We've had her in a 10g 'breeding' tank that I (thankfully) put her in this morning. so she started popping them out, 2 sofar. She's swimming up and down against the glass and it's sooooo cute! But anywho, I was just going to leave all the fry in the 10g, and put her back in the large tank when she's done. How easy will it be to raise the fry in a 10g? (making sure they get enough food, etc.) I plan on finding some java moss for them tomorow (didn't have time to get any today, and I didn't figure it would happen THIS fast.

so anywho, the 2 fry that we have seen are mostly hiding among the gravel... will eat be easy to feed them in a tank that big? or should we herd them into the breeding trap so it's easier down the road?

Thanks!

[JamisonBWolsh]

As long as there is no predators in that 10 gallon..you should be fine. If you want a breeding net..thats your choice. At such a young age, it wont harm them and the food will be easier for them to get to.

Fry of swordtails are, in general, easy to care for. ENJOY watching them grow into adults and have their own kids!

[JamesBenjamin]

Thanks! I know I will enjoy them. Another question though... How will I know when she's done giving birth? Will she munch up her babies immediately or just after she's done and has rested a bit? (ie: should I wait around and move her immediately after?)

She's birthed 2 sofar, and its been awhile, she still looks like there's more inside her, but now shes just swimming up and down the glass constantly...

[JamisonBWolsh]

There is this one fry container. The mother is inside on the top portion. She gives birth to the fry and the fry fall down through the small cracks and holes to the bottom half of the container away from the mother. You should try to use one of these. Your swordtails will give birth plenty of times, so dont worry if not many survive this go around.,

[JamesBenjamin]

I have one like that now, actually... she's jsut swimming around lose in the tank though, should I go ahead and put her in it now, or will that stress her out too much?

Thanks a bunch too, BTW!

[JamisonBWolsh]

There are signs that she is still pregnant....with swordtails..I do not know those signs. I would just raise those 2 fry and wait untill the next go around before you put her in the container.

Instead of the container, you can add Plastic matts that are shaped liked plants and the fry will hide in that.

[JamesBenjamin]

Yeah, my room mate read something today that said one of the signs they are in labor is when they swim up and down the glass alot, so I think she still is. I've read it takes 1-3 hours for the whole birthing to happen, so I'll probly just wait a few more hours, and put her back in the big tank.

Her belly is still a big blotch of red too, I'd think there were more in there, but maybe not.

If anyone else knows anything too, feel free to chime in!

Thanks alot J!

[JamisonBWolsh]

for additional information check the usenet... IM sure there is TONS of info about swordtails.

[capflyboy05]

Dude this is cool!!!!! I just got my female swordtail yesterday night then she popped out 25-30 of them!!!!! I thought the stress might make her delay the birth. But apparently not. Also try to leave the mother alone. the birthing is really stressful and she may sometimes die. about 35% of the time. No worries for u guys if she already gave birth 2 the babies you get a 2 for 1 deal. BTW good choice for the 10 G tank for the Babies. Make sure there is alot of plant cover. Good Breeding Guys.

Chris

[bettagurl]

lord you did some digging capflyboy,and welcome to AC.

[mtiller]

it must be livebearers-give birth-week!

[birdman7389]

Mine is pregnant too :)

[DawnieGA2006]

I also have a greenswordtail who is about ready to pop....

Also have a Dalmation Molly who is getting ready to pop again

Hopefully I can manage to keep those alive **sigh**

Congrats on everyone's fish that are prego !!! GL 2 U

[khombre]

I also have 1 tiny swordtail fry this week. Its in a pond full of swordtails and planted heavily with cabomba and hydrilla. Its hiding amongst the leaves. Its brothers/sisters could have been eaten though. Well, good luck with your fry everyone. :bday:

[cindi]

Im jealous. I have 2 lyretail swords who Ive been expecting to pop for 2 weeks now as the gravid spot haas been growing for atleast 5 weeks. Before I moved them they we showing all signs of ready to birth, now they are growing and eating, I sware I see stretch marks forming on one they are huge. One has been swimming up and down as described above all day, maybe soon, I hope :coffee2:

[birdman7389]

Dangit. Her belly is smaller now, without the red dots, and I dont see any little ones hiding.

Of course, With the Amazon/Buenos Aries Tetra's, daddy/momma sword, and Pictus cats....they had no chance.

It was really interesting though, I'm gonna get a 10 gallon for next time.

[coupedefleur]

I also have 1 tiny swordtail fry this week.

If you see one in that pond, chances are there are 50 or more hiding amid the plants.

Many of the plastic breeding traps are made for guppies, and a fish as big as a swordtail might bash herself to death in a smaller trap. I've made swordtail maternity wards out of 1/4" netting over a 8x6x6" frame and suspended it in a 10 gallon (cover the tank!). The fry drop out into the tank, and aren't dumb enough to swim back in to get eaten. Then the problem becomes "What do I do with all these fry?" Big swordtail females drop a LOT of fry!

I've also seen tank-sized breeding traps where you arrange glass or plex in a "V" with a gap for fry to drop through.