How many Swordtails should be kept together?

How many Swordtails should be kept together?

Swordtails won’t shoal, but they are social and enjoy being in a group of their own kind. Males usually display aggression towards each other, so in smaller tanks (15 gallons) only keep one male. A bigger tank (30+ gallons) can hold more males – make sure to keep a ratio of one male for every four females.

Can you keep only male swordtails together?

Male-Only Aquarium As long as no females are present, males can harmoniously coexist in groups of six or more. The larger the numbers the better the chance you have of diffusing any potential aggression within the group, with no one fish bearing the brunt of another’s bullying.

Can male swordtails turn into females?

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.

Why do female swordtails turn into males?

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.

Are female swordtails aggressive?

swordtails are tough and some chasing nipping is to be accepted. It’s not expected but does happen. She could be chasing off the others because she is pregnant and wants the others to keep away from her.

Can Swordtails breed with guppies?

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.

Are Swordtails peaceful?

Swordtails are generally very peaceful and make excellent community fish. Males can however turn aggressive towards each other once they reach sexual maturity, so it is advisable to house only one male with several females in an aquarium.

Do Swordtails nip fins?

The male Swordtails could nip at fins of fancy guppies but then so do other male guppies.

Can you keep one swordtail?

Swordtail fish are a peaceful and active species. Male swordtail fish are almost always aggressive towards other males of the same species. If your tank isn’t huge, you should definitely opt to keep only one male along with two or three females in one tank.

How many babies do swordtails 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.

Do female swordtails have swords?

Swordtail fish exhibit a striking sexual dimorphism in the structure of the caudal fin; males have a colourful, elongated caudal appendage, termed a sword, that is absent in females.

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 males and females does a swordtail need?

The optimum ratio of Swordtails is three or four females for every male. However, Swordtails are not similar to other aquarium fish in terms of their size, breeding rate, and specific tank requirements. Hence, if you read on, I will guide you through the process of rearing a swordtail.

Can a swordtail fish mate with a platy?

Yes, swordtails can mate with other closely related fish like the platies. Generally, female swordtails tend to mate with male platy. Hence, if you are looking forward to having mixed breeding, then you can rear these species of fish.

Why does a swordtail need a larger tank?

Swordtails are very active therefore, they require a larger tank to swim around freely. In addition to that, if you plan on breeding your swordtails, then you must know that the size of females tends to become double of their actual size while they are pregnant. Hence, they require considerably more space than their male counterparts.

When do you separate a swordtail fish from its group?

Hobbyists think that the strange behaviour does not mean she isn’t capable of mating with a male member of her group or she is plainly uninterested, may be because the new fish is still getting accustomed to her new surroundings. Breeding can start from the 3rd month of age, so it is advised that swordtails be separated after determining sex.