How do I know when my swordtail is about to give birth?
The Eyes of the Fry and Signs of Impending Birth To accommodate the developing eggs, the mother’s body expands, becoming deeper and broader. A few days before delivery, she develops a bulge below the gills, her outline becoming fairly square in this region, while the gravid spot has enlarged its area.
Where is the gravid spot on a swordtail?
As her time nears, the bottom of her swollen belly will begin to appear slightly square and she’ll look light she might burst. A large dark spot will develop on each side of her body near the anus. That “gravid spot” is where you can see the uterus pressing against her abdominal wall.
How long are swordtail fish pregnant for?
But here’s an indication of how long each of the popular species is pregnant for: Guppies 21-35 days. Platies 24-35 days. Swordtails 28 days.
How many babies do swordtail fish have?
Swordtails can produce 50 – 100 fry every time and may give birth again four to 6 weeks after the first birth. It may take longer. According to experts, the second birth session can even take up to a half year after the first, and that can take place even without the presence of a mate.
How do I know if my fish is pregnant?
As your female fish becomes pregnant, she will grow a bulge at the back of her abdomen. This typically appears over the course of 20-40 days. Does your fish have a red or black spot? Sometimes, when a female fish is pregnant, she will develop a “gravid spot” on the abdomen.
Can swordtails change gender?
The swordtail, Xiphophorm helleri, Amateur breeders have at times reported sex change in some old female swordtails of their aquaria, and biologists have re- ported sex inversions in domesticated Xi- phophortts helleri. Essenberg (1926) reported two instan- ces of complete sex inversion.
How do I know when my fish is about to give birth?
Look for the gravid spot on the fish’s abdomen near the rear tail. The spot should appear large and dark when her eggs are fertilized. You will know your fish is close to giving birth when the spot becomes nearly black. Some fish may show white spots instead of black.
How quickly do fish fry grow?
All goldfish fry have the same physical characteristics for the first 5 weeks, so the growth rate is similar for all varieties up to that age. After 5 weeks the deep bodied varieties start to take their adult shape, so growth rates slow when compared to the slim bodied varieties such as Comets.
How long does it take swordtail fry to mature?
In a 1 gallon container, if you have more than 2 or 3 fry, they will never get big enough to return to the main tank. You need to provide lots of space, good food and frequent water changes to get swordtail fry to grow. Given enough room to grow, the fry will be big enough in a month to survive with the adult swords.
Can a pregnant swordtail fish live in another tank?
A pregnant female swordtail fish might not have a large belly, and it is, therefore, good to assume that your fish is pregnant if you have been keeping it in one tank with the males. Remember to move every pregnant swordtail to another aquarium tank and add many plants when the belly swells noticeably.
How big does a swordtail Fry get after birth?
The swordtail fry measures around 5-7 mm (1/4 inch) in size and their size is close to that of guppy fry. They can also grow to around 38 mm (1.5 inches) within three months. At that time, they will be mature enough for breeding. Even though they are very small, you will be able to spot them easily after birth.
Why did my swordtail drop her baby fish?
It sounds like she dropped that batch a little early due to the stress of being in the breeder box. That “big abdomen” you’re talking about is the egg sack. Leave them in the box for a couple days, feeding crushed up flakes or baby brine shrimp or hikarI first bites or any number of other baby fish foods.
How big of an aquarium do you need for a swordtail fish?
Veterinarians and store dealers recommend a 20-gallon aquarium tank for swordtail fish along with heavy planting. They also advised me to ensure that the water temperature is around 64-83 degrees F and a PH between 7.0 and 8.3 and water hardness between 12 and 18DH. Stress can also delay the delivery of pregnant swordtails.