Whilst the belief that they change sex is to be found on a number of sites, the more authoritative (and Baensch) seem to agree that the phenomenon is just late development in males.
Swordtail sex change
- Thread starter bobbi619
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swordtails mature at vastly different rates leading to confusion of the sexes. The later the males hit "puberty" the larger and more majestic they are.
I had a runt "it" that was always way behind the others in growth and is just now developing the sword at two years of age!!! He was just a late bloomer and now is twice the size of the other males and making their life hell like they did to him when he was a runt. He will not even let the other males get close to the ladies without chasing them back in the plants. I love revenge.
I had a runt "it" that was always way behind the others in growth and is just now developing the sword at two years of age!!! He was just a late bloomer and now is twice the size of the other males and making their life hell like they did to him when he was a runt. He will not even let the other males get close to the ladies without chasing them back in the plants. I love revenge.
There's a lot of serious biologist-type information on this subject on the web. I just did a www.google.com search: "Xiphophorus sex change" and got some interesting views on three chromosomes (there's more than one way to be a Xiphophorus male!) and the social inhibition factor in a dominance hierarchy (this factor also keeps beta-type Amphiprion clownfish male until the dominant female is removed)
Try the search!
Try the search!
I think I recently read the same article to which OrionGirl was referencing.
If I remember, as female swordtails age they stop producing eggs and their ovaries atrophy which prevents the production of female hormones. The fish apparently have a background level of male hormones that were either suppressed or overpowered by the female hormones. When the female hormones are no longer around, the male hormones take over and voila...a sex change.
I think that was the jist of it. As you can tell from my terminology, I am not an ichthyologist.
If I remember, as female swordtails age they stop producing eggs and their ovaries atrophy which prevents the production of female hormones. The fish apparently have a background level of male hormones that were either suppressed or overpowered by the female hormones. When the female hormones are no longer around, the male hormones take over and voila...a sex change.
I think that was the jist of it. As you can tell from my terminology, I am not an ichthyologist.
This chap - http://w1.217.telia.com/~u21702600/changes.htm has collected together some information from ichthyologists on the subject.
The simple answer to the question "do swordtails change sex?" is no, not really.
The simple answer to the question "do swordtails change sex?" is no, not really.
Has there ever been a documented case of a true female (one who has given birth) later developing the sword and gono and fathering babies? I don't believe so.
I have been breeding Red Velvet swordtails. I had about 50 at one time and kept four two males and two females. One died and the femail about three and a half inches has never had any fry? she just developed a small sword and a long gonopodium. I am real upset about it because the Red velvet swordtails are hard to get.
