Swordtail Pregnant!

Fish Obsession

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Feb 2, 2007
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Hey all :)
I know the pics aren't so great but the idea was just for you to be able to see the shape of my swordtail's belly from a few different angles, as well as her gravid spot... I hope I at least gave you the general idea.. anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone has an estimate as to how much longer before she gives birth... I want to know when about I should plan on putting her in the breeder net. I'm not sure how long she has been pregnant, I only got her two weeks ago and she might have come to me pregnant... but she began showing signs almost immediatly after I got her... let me know what you think :) any and all opinions appreciated!
-Ali

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Thanks jm for your response. Does everyone agree.... or is it just no fun to guess how much longer until she's due? :) more opinions would be appreciated. I also don't think I really got a wonderful picture of her gravid spot. Thanks for the input... more responses would be appreciated :D
 
I have 2 pregnant swords myself, but they both look very different. One has a huge belly, but the gravid spot is just dark. The other isn't nearly as big, but you can see very defined dots (fry eyes) in it, which makes it seem she may be further along and just carrying fewer fry. (I also have a pregnant molly. At this rate I could open up my own McDonald's soon. :P )

Both mine have bodies the same color as yours, so that can't be what makes their gravid spots look different. Do you see fry eyes in her gravid spot?
 
No fry eyes :(
 
Hmmm, well if nobody comes along and makes a pretty good guess at the due date, we'll see soon enough if defined fry eyes = closer to due date. Make sure you post and let us know when they are born. :)
 
It's probably worth also considering the actual darkness of the gravid spot. I think if she is carrying tons of fry, the eyes may not be such defined dots, but the gravid spot will be very dark. The gravid spot of my larger bellied one isn't nearly as dark as the spots in the other one. Her gravid spot is just a darker orange than her body, as if she was injected with dark orange jelly. The fry eyes showing in the other fish are black.
 
You will know she is about to give birth when her belly is squar looking and her anal cavity will look like it is starting to puff out a little she will probably give birth at night in the dark. Also she will start hiding and somtimes rest on the bottem of the tank befor she gives birth. Hope that helps. Mine just gave birth last night.
 
She rests on the bottom of the tank periodically... only over the past two days has she started doing that.... I'm not sure about her being "square" ... I'm just concerned because I don't want the fry to be eaten.
 
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