how long should my swordtail be preg for???

jenilee

hello, I bought beautiful kohako swordtails about two months ago. I noticed that two are pregnant (gravid spot) they are huge and still not giving birth. I have my breeder box ready, food, and look every few hours. its driving me nuts waiting. I had guppys before and it never took this long.
I feed them frozen blood worms every other day ( good flakes in between) and do large water every week.
need help im a first time Swordtail owner.
thanks
Jennilee

Pisces47

Oops, two months is a long time, if they are really pregnant it should only be about 30-35 days max.
Is the water in the tank too warm? Swords prefer a slightly cooler temperature, say around 72F-75F.
I reckon you are doing a great job having everything prepared for the "big event", but I don't think they are pregnant if they have been like that for this length of time.
Can you put up a couple of pics so we can see???

KendraMc

also, breeder boxes aren't good for swordtails, it can stress them out too much and they can die. either have a separate tank or just a lot of hiding places.

jenilee

just fed them and noticed a very tiny eyelash with an eye ball on it. I can only find one but it is safe in the box net.
thank you very much for your help!

Pisces47

I like that "an eyelash with an eyeball on it", what a hoot.
Anyway, it's good news, but keep looking, there should be more there somewhere, sometimes it can take up to an hour or so for a complete batch to be born.
I don't know what sort of filter you have, but if it's a hang off the back type, then you should check inside the filter to see if any have been sucked up the filter tube that hangs in the tank, this has happened to me many times and I have been able to rescue quite a few........keep looking.

jenilee

just got back from buying a lot of plants and fry food. thanks for all the help ill check my filter now