Thank you for an informative and no nonsense video on these really neat fish. I treat my swordtails to blanched (boiled with garlic powder) spinach and they absolutely love it. I've also noticed they don't like to share that spinach with their tank mates.
Very nicely done this video was so helpful I'm setting up a 55gallon in the next few day gonna be fully planted with driftwood I seen these fish at the store and feel in love with them there so beautiful. I'm buying them all after watching this video
I have a 75 gallon community tank with tetras (Congo and Cardinal), Cory's and two Angelfish. I would love to add swordtails to this tank. What would be a good one to add that stays a little smaller and is on the calmer side. I really learn a lot from your videos. Thanks for providing them.
I honestly would do a domestic strain that you like, the ones that I have had seem to be pretty chill. Some of the wild ones have a little more attitude
On January 9, 2022, we purchased Swordtails--2-females/1-male, at Aquarium Co-op (awesome place !!) The male died six days later. But, in February, I discovered a batch of fry. A week later, another batch. Each month since, there have been more fry born. It is now the end of May, and we have at least 30-40 young Swordtails at various stages (the most recent batch born last week.) As I understand it, a female can give birth 8-9 times from just one fertilization. They can give birth approximately every 28-days. We have just let nature take it's course in the tank. However, although it is amazing seeing all of these little beauties in the tank, I am concerned for their health. The tank is a planted 55-gallon. So far, all of the parameters are stable. But, as these youngsters mature, 55-gallons can't possibly be large enough to house all them, especially at this rate. In the past, I've adopted out kittens, puppies, sheep, and chickens, but never fish !! I am hoping for a bit of guidance, if possible.
Thanks for the comment Mike D. Livebearer female can hold sperm from a male for a lifetime. The best avenue that I have found for adopting out fish is by joining your the local fish club. There is pretty good on in the Seattle area called the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society. Most clubs will allow you to auction fish at their monthly meetings and hold annual or bi-annual auction. You could adopt your fry out that way and even make a little bit of money in return.
What about breeding diffrent types of colors or traits swortails? Will the colors mix or will they become a wild type color? Or does it only take 1 of the parents traits?
Thanks for the reply. I am not a versed in African Cichlids and definately not South Americans. In general terms if you don't cross breeding I would species only tanks.
Thanks for this vid. I just got 2 swordtails 1 male and 1 female. I’m planning to get more but for now I’m just studying them so I can be better at taking care of them
I have a pair in a plastic planted 10 gal tank. They bred and had some fry but before I could move the adults they were all eaten. My female appears ready to drop another group of fry! I want to relocate the male now and put the female in a drop box BUT I CAN'T NET EITHER OF THEM. Can someone please tell me how to catch these very fast fish?
I would say about 6 months, depending on temperature. The hotter they are the faster they will grow. However, at higher temps their lifespan will be shorter
@@FishTankBarn bummer you have a killer selection I have never seen some of these colors before hopefully they will come to my area keep the guides and tips on these guys coming thanks a ton
Thanks Betta Aquatiks .... The color and genetics are something to research more myself. I would maybe try going to the American Livebearer Assoication convention in July if you are in the United States.
i got the orange/black fin swordtail, is it common for them to produce a different colour after breeding? my female popped a astonishing 70+ babies and they are about 3 months old and I've noticed 7 of them are silver.... are they known for it
Sahil. Since the swordtails and guppies are of a different genus it is highly unlikely that you have swordtail and guppy hybrids. I am going to imagine that you a genetic morph in our guppies that presented a sword or lyre tail. There are guppy strains that present a sword tail gene but are still genetically all guppies.
While it’s true that hybridizing different species should generally be avoided, crossing different strains within the same species is often a great idea, as it allows you to avoid inbreeding depression. Pure-breeding is inbreeding.
@FishTankBarn Yes, for conservation purposes, that’s true. But in general, pure-breeding pets weakens them due to inbreeding, and outcrossing pets strengthens them by contributing to genetic diversity. The genetic health of the parents matters, too, and I’m not necessarily advocating interspecific hybridization, either. However, the benefits of outcrossing are undeniable. I’m far less concerned about the phenotypic traits of a breed or variety, than I am about the health of the animals.
Want to see some more about swordtails. Check out this tour: th-cam.com/video/sbsk2nHWTwE/w-d-xo.html
Your channel has become one of my favorites. I enjoy all the information and the excitement about keeping almost extinct species.
Thank Wow Aquatics. I appreciate the support
Thank you for an informative and no nonsense video on these really neat fish. I treat my swordtails to blanched (boiled with garlic powder) spinach and they absolutely love it. I've also noticed they don't like to share that spinach with their tank mates.
Thanks Greg! Great suggestion on the food. I need to do more vegetables.
You are good narrator. thank you!
Thank you very much for the kind words. Glad that you enjoyed the video
Very nicely done this video was so helpful I'm setting up a 55gallon in the next few day gonna be fully planted with driftwood I seen these fish at the store and feel in love with them there so beautiful. I'm buying them all after watching this video
Nice 2SS/RS!
This video is actually an, Aquarium Coop sponsored video. 😍
Thanks walk the ramp. I am brand ambassador for the CoOp not sponsored but they do support the channel
Thanks for the video 👍
Your welcome Gerard!
Swordtails also got me into the hobby
That "sword" tail is a big draw for sure.
I have a 75 gallon community tank with tetras (Congo and Cardinal), Cory's and two Angelfish. I would love to add swordtails to this tank. What would be a good one to add that stays a little smaller and is on the calmer side. I really learn a lot from your videos. Thanks for providing them.
I honestly would do a domestic strain that you like, the ones that I have had seem to be pretty chill. Some of the wild ones have a little more attitude
Great video! Very informative! Thanks
Thanks Sandy! I am glad that you found it helpful!
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Your welcome Bill!
Excellent info.
Thanks Tony!
On January 9, 2022, we purchased Swordtails--2-females/1-male, at Aquarium Co-op (awesome place !!)
The male died six days later.
But, in February, I discovered a batch of fry.
A week later, another batch.
Each month since, there have been more fry born.
It is now the end of May, and we have at least 30-40 young Swordtails at various stages (the most recent batch born last week.)
As I understand it, a female can give birth 8-9 times from just one fertilization.
They can give birth approximately every 28-days.
We have just let nature take it's course in the tank.
However, although it is amazing seeing all of these little beauties in the tank, I am concerned for their health.
The tank is a planted 55-gallon.
So far, all of the parameters are stable.
But, as these youngsters mature, 55-gallons can't possibly be large enough to house all them, especially at this rate.
In the past, I've adopted out kittens, puppies, sheep, and chickens, but never fish !!
I am hoping for a bit of guidance, if possible.
Thanks for the comment Mike D. Livebearer female can hold sperm from a male for a lifetime. The best avenue that I have found for adopting out fish is by joining your the local fish club. There is pretty good on in the Seattle area called the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society. Most clubs will allow you to auction fish at their monthly meetings and hold annual or bi-annual auction. You could adopt your fry out that way and even make a little bit of money in return.
@@FishTankBarn Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate it, and will look into your suggestion.
What about breeding diffrent types of colors or traits swortails? Will the colors mix or will they become a wild type color? Or does it only take 1 of the parents traits?
That's a tough question. They don't revert back to the wild form like shrimp.
I would love if u could break down Africans and South America cichlid cross breeding just like this.
Thanks for the reply. I am not a versed in African Cichlids and definately not South Americans. In general terms if you don't cross breeding I would species only tanks.
@@FishTankBarn ok thanks for the reply
@@newlevelthomas9934 yw
Thanks for this vid. I just got 2 swordtails 1 male and 1 female. I’m planning to get more but for now I’m just studying them so I can be better at taking care of them
Your welcome cloudjumper. Happy to see that you are doing research and studying you fish.
I have a pair in a plastic planted 10 gal tank. They bred and had some fry but before I could move the adults they were all eaten. My female appears ready to drop another group of fry! I want to relocate the male now and put the female in a drop box BUT I CAN'T NET EITHER OF THEM. Can someone please tell me how to catch these very fast fish?
I would try 2 nets and maybe net them are the time when you are feeding them
Can I keep a only males aquarium? Because I do not want fry
You can but they will definitely bicker a little bit
How.long.does.it.take.for.swordtails.to.grow
I would say about 6 months, depending on temperature. The hotter they are the faster they will grow. However, at higher temps their lifespan will be shorter
Chichlids need opposite water parameters than swordtails actually
I have cichlids and swords in the same water for 6 years now with now issues
What do i do if i accidentally keep 4 swordtails in my 20 high tank, I feel a bit stupid now because i had NO idea they got that big.
You probably would be ok with just 4. You might want to move a larger group to a bigger tank
@@FishTankBarn like what size would you say? 35 gallon?
@@maricelarivera-garrison8660 I would say 29 or 40 breeder depending on how big your group is
I love your swords do you sell and ship fish ?
Unfortunately. I only sell at local auctions and conventions.
@@FishTankBarn bummer you have a killer selection I have never seen some of these colors before hopefully they will come to my area keep the guides and tips on these guys coming thanks a ton
I have some Swordtails and i had them for a while but I don't see babies what am I doing wrong ?
They could eating them or maybe not ready to breed yet. Patience is key when it comes to breeding any fish.
Is swordtail eats it's fry?
Some do and some don't depends on the species
I got into fish keeping was the reason of NORMAL WILD MOLLYS
Nice Sani!
Sadly my male swordtail died but I bought a new swordtail to try and carry on breeding hopefully it works and I think it might be pregnant 🤞🏻
Ollie usually livebearers Will remaining “hit” for some time. You will still have a chance at some fry even if your male passes
Excellent Advice Sir. Thank You For Sharing. Is there a way to communicate via facebook or email? Would like to learn more on color genetics etc.
Thanks Betta Aquatiks .... The color and genetics are something to research more myself. I would maybe try going to the American Livebearer Assoication convention in July if you are in the United States.
i got the orange/black fin swordtail, is it common for them to produce a different colour after breeding? my female popped a astonishing 70+ babies and they are about 3 months old and I've noticed 7 of them are silver.... are they known for it
Depending on the quality of the strain some of them can produce better than others
My swordtails are not eating their babies. They just ignore them so when feeding time the babies can freely swim.
Thanks hypercells! Not all of them eat babies. It depends on the species and the individual fish.
I kept them with guppies and guess what
Now I have guppies size hybrids
Sahil. Since the swordtails and guppies are of a different genus it is highly unlikely that you have swordtail and guppy hybrids. I am going to imagine that you a genetic morph in our guppies that presented a sword or lyre tail. There are guppy strains that present a sword tail gene but are still genetically all guppies.
While it’s true that hybridizing different species should generally be avoided, crossing different strains within the same species is often a great idea, as it allows you to avoid inbreeding depression. Pure-breeding is inbreeding.
Depends. If you have endangered location specific fish, it’s highly discouraged to mix locations and strains
@FishTankBarn Yes, for conservation purposes, that’s true. But in general, pure-breeding pets weakens them due to inbreeding, and outcrossing pets strengthens them by contributing to genetic diversity. The genetic health of the parents matters, too, and I’m not necessarily advocating interspecific hybridization, either. However, the benefits of outcrossing are undeniable. I’m far less concerned about the phenotypic traits of a breed or variety, than I am about the health of the animals.
the green swordtail lives in the river in Hawaii
Thanks Sasha! I would imagine they aren’t supposed to be there.
our petsmart n pet co do not even carry Swordtails no more! ugggh I only go there for their tank sales!
I had someone ask me about swordtails as well. Apparently they aren't around right now.
Where is the clownfish breeding that’s why I’m her !
They are still here. I will show them from time to time.
Like the video so I subscribe
Thanks G1
I would definitely not keep them with guppies
Agreed Ollie
Thank you for sharing this video 🙂👍
Your welcome, glad that you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing Mike!
Thanks David!