Swordtails... of Death?

[paku]

I just set up my 10g about a week ago. Its currently stocked with
6 neon tetras
2 black swordtails
pleco (he will be moved to a bigger tank later on)
and male beta

I went to go watch them and found my 2 swordtails tearing up a neon like they were Jaws...The neon was dead and half eaten already. I just saw them all an hour before and nothing was wrong. The beta is very docile and usually shys away from the school or the swordtails. I have never seen the Swords attack or even nip at anything. Could the neon have gotten sick in less than an hour? Maybe the swords wherent getting enough to eat? (they eat like pigs already..) I keep some Zuccini for the pleco that they seem to like also. I think they are tearing up one of my plants as well. Anyone have any ideas or experiance with Killer Swordtails?

 

[jm1212]

how big are they? some male swords get somewhat agressive towards smaller fish as they age

 

[starrystarstarr]

u should probably move them 2 a different tank if u dont want to lose n e more fish

 

[jm1212]

yes, that would probably be your best option... and you might want to get them a few females unless you are going to divide the tank, which would probably be the best choice if you only have room for 10 gallons or less, and you dont have any room for the babies that may arise

 

[khombre]

Hey there, did you actually catch the swordtails killing your betta? Because swordtails will try to eat dead fish regardless of whether they did or didn't do the killing. How are the other tetras?

 

[dorkfish]

My thoughts are that the neon died and the swordtails were merely consuming the corpse; neons aren't that hardy in my expierience. I say wait and see if it happens again, then you can blaim it on the swordtails.

 

[paku]

No I didnt see the Swords attack it... Just cleaning up a dead body. The wierd thing is that I watch my fish every couple hours since I set up that tank. I didnt notice any sluggish or sickly tetras. I dont blame them at all for the death, just curious to see if anyone has ever had agressive swordtails... I will keep an eye out. The other Neons seem fine. Very active, nice color. I didnt know they werent that hardy or I would have waited for the cycle before i got them =/
I Guess I need to read up on tetras more.. thanks all. I will update if there are any other mishaps.

 

[jm1212]

i have read in books that they can get a bit agressive towards other fish as they age, unless they have the adequate # of females around them to distract them

 

[apratsunrthd]

i have read in books that they can get a bit agressive towards other fish as they age, unless they have the adequate # of females around them to distract them

Same thing happens to me...

 

[jennypenny]

Your stocking is also a little heavy. I agree that they were most likely just eating a dead fish, but I would say that you are on the limit of fish for that tank. A little more space and more hiding places is always good for turning down aggressive behavior.