[toadstool3219811]

Hello, I recently set up a new 30 aquarium and added purchased 8 fish (then today added 5 more.) And after reading up on some of my fish, I realized that my female swordtail seems to have a black gravid spot on it's abdomen, which I read was a sign of pregnancy. She will also rest on the bottom of the tank in a corner, sometimes with the male coming to rest by her, for significant periods of time. I don't seem to see any unusually swelling to her abdomen, but then again it's a new fish, so maybe I'm mistaken. Is she pregnant? (I also provided a picture,hope it helps, sorry if the quality isn't the best.) Any help is appreciated.

 

[SeaHorse]

My guess is YES. Since Live-bearers are almost always pregnant and you have a male in the tank. Their breeding cycle is 28 days... so count out since you bought her and mark your calendar. She will also get quite large and square off in the lower front area.

 

[Sylverclaws]

Awuh, she looks like the red neon swordtail I had forever. =(

But yes, it's true. Livebearers seem to love being pregnant and almost always are unless kept from males since four months old. All it takes is a minute in a tank with a male and they can store sperm for several months, and fertilize their eggs as they please for that time.


Anywho, it's very possible she is, yes. But I have also learned with fish who you can see inside of like that, sometimes what you're seeing is not the gravid spot, but her eggs, or just her insides. Mine only gave birth once within the year....and a half or so I had her, and she ALWAYS had that mark, never lost it.