HELP! Painted Swordtail killed my Red Velvet Swordtail

koi18

koi18

AC Members
Feb 20, 2012
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I've got 5 swordtails in my tank. 2 Red velvet ones and 3 painted Swords (2 males and 3 females).
yesterday i saw that the female Red velvet had its tail nipped terribly and was dying i tried to rescue it but failed.

And just this morning as i was looking at my tanked i found out that the painted female swords were harassing the red velvet one.

i'm confused as to why they are trying to nip his tail.
does anybody here know whats going on? should i remove the painted females?
a month ago nothing like this was happening its just this week that they are showing this behavior.

any advices please? thanks guys!
 
You are sure you have females, and not males that have yet to show a sword? I have heard male swords are extremely territorial, and that's what it sounds like is, a dominance issue. Perhaps the ones you thought were female are becomeing male and challanging the other males?
 
Hi
Sounds like typical ST behavior to me . The "sword " is a display tool and ime mostly used to corner females . second use is to intimidate other males. They are only a lososely schooling fish so there is a distinct pecking order even among the females . In tanks were i could see the behavior there were almost constant skirmishes UNTIL the order was decided . fascinating to watch the males use the sword swimming just as fast backwards as forward .
I never experienced much damage from the skirmishes but always kept them in large groups
I think I have wittnessed sex change as well as delayed development caused by the pecking order
Anyway there is not much you can do about it except separate to pairs or add more to spead the aggression around .
gary
 
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