How Long Swordtail Fish Are Pregnant in the USA
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 long do swordtail fish give birth?
Like other livebearing aquarium fish, swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) give birth to live young, or fry, rather than laying eggs. Although the swordtail’s gestation period is 28 days, it may be difficult to determine when she became pregnant.
How long are fish pregnant for?
As examples, the female swordtail and guppy will both give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 live young after a gestation period of four to six weeks, and mollies will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young after a gestation of six to 10 weeks.
How do you know when fish are 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.
What age can swordtails breed?
Breeding can start from the 3rd month of age, so it is advised that swordtails be separated after determining sex.
How many babies can a 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.
How do you tell if your fish is pregnant or just fat?
Carrying Eggs – One reason your fish may appear slightly bigger is because it is carrying eggs. If your fish is a female, is not overly fat, and is normal in most other regards, this is a very high possibility. Another indication is if your fish has an enlarged vent; this is where the eggs will come out.
Do fish eat their babies?
Sometimes he guards several clutches by different females, cleans the nest, and fans oxygen towards the eggs to improve their supply. Yet scientists have repeatedly observed males eating some of the carefully-provided for eggs. Filial cannibalism often occurs in fish species in which males care for the eggs or young.
Why does my fish look pregnant?
Dropsy refers to a condition in which fish often have hugely swollen bellies, and the continuing use of the term probably has to do with how it so accurately depicts the visual symptom: the belly drops down. Sometimes the condition is also known as bloat.
Can a swordtail mate with a guppy?
Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. Like most livebearers, there is not much to getting your guppies or swordtail to breed. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female.
How do swordtails mate?
Swordtails mate very quickly, so if you aren’t watching them you could easily miss it. Typically the male will approach the female, often from the side, and may flare his fins in an attempt to impress her. He then swims up close to her and quickly touches her on the underside, near her anal fin, with his gonopodium.
How many swordtails should be kept together?
Swordtail Fish Behavior and Temperament The swordfish is pretty peaceful and friendly and will gel well with other tank mates. They aren’t necessarily shoaling species, but they should be kept in a group of 5-6 to help them feel comfortable in the tank.
How do fish deliver babies?
Most fish release thousands of eggs, scattering them in the water where the male fish fertilize them. The eggs develop and hatch into larvae (baby fish) without any help from the parents. A few kinds of fish keep their eggs inside their bodies, so when they hatch they give birth to live young.
How do cichlids have babies?
Cichlids lay eggs, either in caves or on rocks, and they defend the eggs until they hatch and then they continue to defend their babies. African cichlids are mostly mouthbreeders, which means that after the male and female have spawned, the female (usually – males sometimes) incubates the eggs in her mouth.
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.
What is the lifespan of a swordtail?
The average swordtail fish lifespan is around three to five years. Fish kept in the best and most stable living conditions tend to live longer.
Can Swordtails change gender?
Swordtails commonly breed in community tanks. The urge to reproduce is so strong in this species that the females are hermaphroditic. In populations consisting entirely of females one will frequently transform into a male to insure the propagation of the species.
What is kohaku swordtail?
The Kohaku Swordtail is a popular color morph of this type of freshwater fish. Also known as a Koi Swordtail, the semi-transparent body is a fantastic addition to any aquarium. Minimum tank size: 30 gallons. – Prefers a well planted aquarium with room for swimming.
How can you tell a male swordtail from a female?
Telling Males From Females Only male swordtails have the tail fin extension. Females have a rounded tail fin. Females’ bodies are also more rounded, fuller and about one-half-inch longer at maturity.
What do I do if my fish has babies?
After Your Fish Gives Birth For many species, it’s important to keep fertilized eggs and newly hatched fish, or fry, separate from the adults. Some fish eat their own young while others eat the young of other species. Keeping the fish eggs and fry separate from the adult fish may give them a better chance of survival.
What do I do if my fish is pregnant?
The female can be placed back into the main tank once she has given birth and the fry can be raised in the breeding trap or a larger breeding net. Ideally, pregnant females should be placed on their own in a separate aquarium with lots of feathery plants where they can give birth in a stress-free environment.
How often do fish have babies?
Depending on water conditions, temperature, and diet some livebearers can have broods as often as every four to eight weeks. You can tell if a female is ready to give birth by her enlarged abdomen or a dark spot located near her anal fin. The spot will turn darker as her delivery date nears.