How do you know when a female swordtail is about to give birth?
How do you know when a female swordtail is about to give birth?
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 do I know if my swordtails are mating?
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.
Are swordtails bottom dwellers?
They tend to stick to the middle and upper parts of the water column. As a result, being picky about the substrate material is not something you need to think about when it comes to your swordtail fish. Instead, choose one that’s suitable for any bottom feeders you might have in the community.
Can female swordtails turn into males?
No, female Swordtails can’t change their gender. When there is a dominant male in a group of Swordtails, other less dominant males hold back their development, giving the appearance they are female.
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 big do female swordtails get?
Adult Size & Lifespan Adult female swordtail fish can reach 6.3 inches in length, while males can grow up to 5.5 inches. Swordtail fish have an average lifespan of three to five years in captivity.
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.
