about to pop!

KendraMc · 10-04-2011, 07:32 AM

i think my (healthy) female Swordtail is going to give birth in the next few days! even though i have no intentions of moving her to a different tank or trying to save all of the fry, it is exciting. i'm hoping the Water Sprite in my tank will provide enough hiding for a few of them to make it. it looks like her gravid spot is getting darker and she is definitely fatter than she used to be.

Santaclaws · 10-04-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KendraMc

i think my (healthy) female Swordtail is going to give birth in the next few days! even though i have no intentions of moving her to a different tank or trying to save all of the fry, it is exciting. i'm hoping the Water Sprite in my tank will provide enough hiding for a few of them to make it. it looks like her gravid spot is getting darker and she is definitely fatter than she used to be.

Congrats get some pics later of the little ones if you can.

Pisces47 · 10-04-2011, 03:46 PM

KendraMc,

Just noticed on your post that you have Tiger Barbs and Swordtails. I've been thinking of getting some Tigers but have heard that they are a bit agressive towards other fish, do you have any problems with yours and why do you have 9 of them, it seems a strange number?

KendraMc · 10-04-2011, 03:51 PM

i bought 5. one died within 2 days, no idea why, but they came from petco, so maybe too much stress or whatever. one of the remaining four became a serious bully. he nipped really badly at the other three's tails. i asked the person at the petco what they thought i should do, they recommended rearranging the tank. that didn't work. one of the other's tails the bully nipped down to nothing. i ended up euthanizing that one because it couldn't swim pretty much at all. i went out and bought 6 more (wanted to get at least 5 more, don't remember why i went with 6). have had no problems with the nine, they all swim together and seem quite happy. i did make sure to get all of the new ones at least as big as the bully, who was slightly bigger than the other three. the two that he nipped up have grown back just fine and no longer hide from him. they never bothered my swordtails or pleco, but that could just be because the barbs were by far the smallest in the tank. i have been warned that they will nip other fish too.

Pisces47 · 10-04-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KendraMc

i bought 5. one died within 2 days, no idea why, but they came from petco, so maybe too much stress or whatever. one of the remaining four became a serious bully. he nipped really badly at the other three's tails. i asked the person at the petco what they thought i should do, they recommended rearranging the tank. that didn't work. one of the other's tails the bully nipped down to nothing. i ended up euthanizing that one because it couldn't swim pretty much at all. i went out and bought 6 more (wanted to get at least 5 more, don't remember why i went with 6). have had no problems with the nine, they all swim together and seem quite happy. i did make sure to get all of the new ones at least as big as the bully, who was slightly bigger than the other three. the two that he nipped up have grown back just fine and no longer hide from him. they never bothered my swordtails or pleco, but that could just be because the barbs were by far the smallest in the tank. i have been warned that they will nip other fish too.

Yep, it seems from your experience that they are not the friendliest little critters, just as well you have patience.
I may just get myself a couple down the track and see what happens.