My fish under stress or a particular behavior?

Phyroath

Phyroath

Senior knowledge seeker
Jan 30, 2008
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Phnom Penh
I bought 6 sword tails two weeks ago from my lfs - did followed acclimating procedures but not sure my lfs did this. I aim at having 3 couples and the 3 females swordtails are pregnant but today they are all gasping at the surface while hiding among plants. Are they under stress or just a particular swordtails' behavior when they are pregnant?

To my shame, I do not have any water parameters and no heater. Also do I need a heater when I am in a hot country like mine? Please help.
 
You don't need a heater if it doesn't get very cold (below 20 degrees Celsius) there. Is your tank heavily planted? Are you telling us you have 3 males and 3 females? Males are too overzealous with their courtship behavior and this activity may simply stress the females constantly. If I were you, add more hiding places and more females if space permits. Invest in API liquid test kit if available in your area.
 
Yep Lupin I got 3 males and 3 females. OK I will add more females this weekend - I have just added the 6 swordtails to my 29g tank with no other fish except algae eaters since I have been waiting to get some success in a planted tank as trying to take care both fish and plants at the same time was really hard for my case - a lot of hiding places in the tank though. I am trying to get a test kit but it is not available in my area. Thanks
 
How often do you you change your water? It sounds like you have an ammonia spike from adding the fish. I would do an immediate 50 percent water change in case that is the problem.
 
You probably don't need a heater unless you've got A/C in the room and keep it very cold.

It could be stress from bad water quality but we can't be sure unless you can test the water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. In the meantime, a partial water change couldn't hurt.

And you realize that you're soon going to have a lot more than 3 couples, right?
 
If your tank hasn't been cycled it is probably going through one. Try doing daily 50% water changes for about a month or so until your cycle complete. Do try to pick up a test kit as soon as you can. Good luck with your babies!
 
I agree with GMH. Sounds like your tank is cycling and you should be doing 50% water changes daily if that is the case. Good luck.
 
What type of dechlorinator are you using? Sometimes fish gasp at the air if a dechlorinator is not used, or not enough is used.
 
Phyroath said:
Yep Lupin I got 3 males and 3 females. OK I will add more females this weekend - I have just added the 6 swordtails to my 29g tank with no other fish except algae eaters since I have been waiting to get some success in a planted tank as trying to take care both fish and plants at the same time was really hard for my case - a lot of hiding places in the tank though. I am trying to get a test kit but it is not available in my area. Thanks
Click to expand...

What type of algae eater? Some kinds such as the CAE are known to be aggressive. If you have one of those it could be causing stress also.
 
I normally do 25% w/c weekly however I failed doing it last week while do not have time for mid week w/c. Previously I used dechlorinator but stop using that for a while. The tank has been up for 7 months and home to 3 Chinese Algae Eaters. Will try to do w/c as soon as possible. Got about 6 baby swordtails but some of them were eaten and one of the females died this morning. I find it difficult in a planted tank to take care of the fry.
 
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