Swordtails
Male Swordtail Copyright My Aquarium Petz
These fish are quite peaceful and very unique because of the ‘sword’ that extends off the males back fin. An amazing fact about the females are that they can store sperm and then impregnate themselves at a later time in their life. This means you could purchase one female from the pet store (if it has males and females in the same tank) and she could give birth a few weeks later even if she was the only fish in your tank. Swordtail's should be kept with the ratio of one male for every three females, this allows them to share the harassment that the male gives them (they tend to chase and court the females alot).
Profile
Max Size: 10-12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 inches)
pH: 7-8
Temp: 21-28*C (69-82.4*F)
Feed: Flakes, pellets, frozen and freeze dried.
Breeding
Sexing: Males have a ‘sword’ that protrudes their back fin and a sexual organ called a gonopodium below their belly. Females have no sword or gonopodium and are generally larger.
Males inseminate the female through their gonopodium. Increase the chances of breeding by spoiling the fishes live food. Females show a dark spot below their anal fin when they are pregnant. They are livebearers meaning the give birth the live young.
Profile
Max Size: 10-12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 inches)
pH: 7-8
Temp: 21-28*C (69-82.4*F)
Feed: Flakes, pellets, frozen and freeze dried.
Breeding
Sexing: Males have a ‘sword’ that protrudes their back fin and a sexual organ called a gonopodium below their belly. Females have no sword or gonopodium and are generally larger.
Males inseminate the female through their gonopodium. Increase the chances of breeding by spoiling the fishes live food. Females show a dark spot below their anal fin when they are pregnant. They are livebearers meaning the give birth the live young.
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Female Swordtail. Copyright My Aquarium Petz
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