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FAQs on the Swordtail Compatibility
Related Articles:
Swordtails &
Poeciliids: Guppies, Platies, Swordtails, Mollies
by Neale Monks, Livebearing Fishes
by Bob Fenner,
Related FAQs: Swordtails 1,
Swordtails 2,
Swordtail Identification,
Swordtail Behavior,
Swordtail Selection,
Swordtail Systems,
Swordtail Feeding,
Swordtail Disease,
Swordtail Reproduction,
Livebearers,
Guppies,
Platies, Mollies,
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Swordtail... comp.
12/17/08
I have a 30 Gal. tank
I have 5 guppies, 2 Swordtail
male/female,1 Betta, 6 neon, and 2 orange fish that i don't know the name of
<Shouldn't buy fish you don't know anything about.>
My female swordtail is
very mean
<Xiphophorus helleri can be an aggressive species. Best not mixed
with other livebearers.>
I've lost 2 guppies and i think it's her
<Certainly possible. Does depend on the "orange fish" though -- could be
something aggressive, predatory, fin-nippy.>
she attacks everyone but the
Betta and the Neons what should i do flush her?
<Are you winding me up? What
makes you think throwing a fish down the lavatory is sensible let alone not
cruel? Unwanted fish can usually be returned to an aquarium store; sometimes
you'll even get credit.>
thanks
Dale
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Swordtail, comp.
12/17/08
Sorry was not serious about the flush thing the orange fish
are Platies If i take the female swordtail back to the aquarium store how will
the male act?
will he be ok
thanks
Dale
<Swordtails are aggressive.
Remove the dominant (bullying) fish, and the next one down the pecking order
will become the new dominant fish (the new bully). Swordtails are best not
combined with platies or guppies. Cheers,
Neale.>
Swordtails, sys., comp. 8/21/08
Hello, I am not new to keeping fish but I have a few questions about the
swordtail, the HiFin Lyretail Swordtail in particular. First, I have a 5 gallon
Minibow freshwater fish tank, and it has a in tank whisper filter plus a 15 watt
light bulb which keeps the tank's Temp. at about 74-78 degrees, I have only one
fish in the tank at the moment, it is a half-moon male Betta, and I wanted to
get two swordtails, a male and a female, I was told by a good friend who keeps
the swordtails that this would be fine as long as I didn't purchase anymore fish
after that, is this true? And Is all of this correct Information that i have
received? Also, if my male Betta has been living in this tank for a while now,
and is healthy and active, couldn’t the swordtails have the same luck? Aren't
they both hardy fish and aren't they both tropical fish as well? So shouldn’t
they coexist together and be able to live in about the same water conditions
also? Sorry for the questions, I just really need to know this from some one who
knows their stuff!! Lastly, If I don't want the swordtails to breed, should I
just get two females, or will the male and the female get on with their life and
forget about each other? Thank you so much for your time, P.S. I did read about
the girl who was keeping the swordtails in a 1.5 gallon fish tank, and I can
only fit a 5 gallon fish tank in my apartment so is this okay? Thanks and have a
good time, sincerely, Mason. p.s.s I haven't changed my email since I was 16, I
am currently 18 so this should explain the kid part of the email address! Talk
to You soon!
<Hello Mason, this is Merritt here today to answer your questions. Well,
first of all a 5 gallon tank is just not big enough for swordtails, sorry but
you can still keep other interesting fish in a 5 gallon. Also, just purchasing a
male and a female would not be good, due to the male being aggressive to the
female, it would be better to have 2 - 3 females per male. Another aspect is no,
the male and female would not ignore each other, the male would pester the
female to mate and then you would have fry to deal with. If you got females you
would have to get more than two so a pecking order could be established. Both
swordtails and Bettas are hardy fish and can easily be kept together if the tank
space allows. Have a great day! Merritt A.>
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Male Swordtail Terror 6/26/08
Hello Neale and all WWM Crew. Happy Summer to you.
<And to you>
This is a question on a male swordtail terrorizing the other two in
a 125 gallon tank.
The end string below summarizes our fish quantity, but recap is 50
fish; community of platys, swords, mollis, Corys.
There are 7-8 assorted female swords. There are 3 males; a medium
pineapple, a small black (mature, and a large red 'standard LFS'
male. All have been in the tank 6 months to a year. The tank has
corner pumps, many fake rocks, plastic grass, etc to hide in. Early
on the very large red male was boss and would harass the black one
only, who has never attained great size. This stopped. All was calm.
Now the very large red is no longer the kingpin male.
Though not the largest, the pineapple has begun to really harass,
chase, and bite the black and the red.
<Strange>
Both are becoming skinny, show fin loss, and hide in corners. They
can't get to food without being chased the length of the tank. They
are not diseased in any way.
With 7 females, we thought we were ok; decided to let nature take
its course over the last two weeks. But we couldn't stand it, the
pineapple is downright being a brute. Today we isolated the
pineapple in a large plastic colander in the 125 tank.
<Good move>
Here are what we feel are our options:
1. Buy more females and hope for the best in the 125 tank.
2. Move the pineapple to a 10 gallon empty fry tank that is
operating, along with two females. Hope he wears himself out and the
other two recover and fatten up in the 125 tank.
3. Move the red and black male swords to the fry tank along with 4
females to fatten up.
4. Do nothing and hope for the best. (We feel the two harassed
swords will die of starvation if we do this.)
5. Hang the pineapple from a yardarm in front of the other fish as a
lesson at high noon.
<Heeee! Hang 'em high!>
Please tell what you think and elaborate as to the +/- of each
option.
Many thanks,
Rosemary and Don
<I would go with #1... and possibly try changing the food. Do look
into supplanting what you use with Spectrum pellets... sometimes
nutritional deficiency can be a large player in affecting fish
behavior. I have found this food to be excellent nutritionally, very
palatable (to the fishes!), and a calming influence. Cheers, Bob
Fenner>
Re: Male Swordtail
Terror/Food, Ratio Males to Females 6/27/08
Mr. Fenner,
<Rose and Don>
Many thanks for your helpful reply. Our pineapple sword remains in
solitary on bread and water pending purchase of more female swords.
<Good>
Missed asking the question of what ratio of males to females might solve
our problem. If 2.33 to 1 is not working (7 Females and 3 males), how
many females total would be appropriate for 3 male swordtails in our 125
gallon tank with the current animosity?
<"The more the merrier"... at least three to one... Am now humming a
modified Beach Boys tune...>
We feed twice daily. Always daily Wardly Algae Tablets (Corys and the
rubber lips), and alternate Tetra Tropical Flakes with shrimp pellets or
blood worms. We never personally thought much of the shrimp pellets, too
messy.
How does that sound for balance and nutrition?
<I'd add some more with greens, or greens themselves...>
Anything there a waste of time? We will immediately add in the Spectrum
Community Pellets to the mix when we get to the LFS>
<Is a great product... as you and your aquatic charges will find>
Thanks again and cheers,
Rosemary and Don
<And to you, BobF>
Re: Male Swordtail
Terror/Food, Ratio Males to Females Update
- 7/1/08
Hello WWM gang, our problem remains.
<Really?>
Please see the string below.
We made a thorough count and had 8 female swords. The black male died of
stress/malnutrition while the pineapple male was in the cage, so after 5
days in the cage we let the pineapple male out. The LFS had zero quality
swords this week so we declined to buy. We thought we were in the clear with
the 4:1 female to male ratio (8:2 in our tank now). Would add that all 3
males and several females had been in our tank for close to a year.
The pineapple male sword hid for a half day after we let him out to play,
then began to harass the larger remaining red male sword relentlessly (the
red hides behind power filters, more nipped fins and really skinny).
<Dang!>
We increased feed to 3 times a day to fatten up the male red sword, ensure
he could get to food. Added fresh peas to the feed with the spectrum
pellets, flakes, algae pellets. After two days of terror, we again put the
pineapple male in the cage. The red sword is now totally normal, in the
open, and eating well with the pineapple male locked up.
<Good>
Our other fish count is 7 platys, 9 guppies, 10 Corys, 1 Pleco, and 8
mollies. We are close to our normal imposed limit on fish (50) for 125
gallons. We have good water and can add more female swords if you think it
best still.
<I am considering suggesting trading in the one male, isolating it
permanently or suggesting destroying it>
Question is, if 8 females: 2 males does not divert attention of the male
pineapple from the red male sword, will 10:2 or 12:2 be better?
<Too likely not>
What should we do? Should we add a bigger male sword and hope to change some
dynamic in the tank? Should we let the pineapple out, let him kill the red
one, get it over with, and have 8 females and the 1 pineapple male?
<This IS likely what I'd do>
We have not had this extreme behavior before, so we are at a loss. Any
thoughts appreciated.
Cheers,
Rosemary and Don
<Have seen this rogue behavior a few times... even in humans... BobF>
Re: Male Swordtail
Terror/Food, Ratio Males to Females Update
- 7/2/08
Many thanks, sir.
<Certainly welcome>
We favor letting the pineapple out and accept what happens as you suggest.
<I see>
Our reasons are these: In our area, pineapples are difficult to find, reds
are dime a dozen; the red may die anyway given the stress; and the dynamics
may change and the pineapple may gravitate toward a female.
<Mmm>
Strange to us (is it to you?) that for all this aggressive behavior, we have
not seen the pineapple express any interest what so ever in nuzzling up to
females since we got him a year ago.
<Interesting... as a reality and observation... Am given to wonder here.
Perhaps this really isn't a "real" male... the genetics/expression of sex
and traits, behavior in poeciliids is a bit more complex than humans,
companion animals that most people are more familiar with... Perhaps we
should "chat" this up a bit>
We appreciate your most helpful site. Spent 5 hours last night just reading
FAQ's on different subjects, feeding, chemistry, and breeding. Wonderful
service to aquarium owners that you have going.
Sincerely,
Don (and Rose)
<Ahh! A pleasure to share. BobF>
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Hello! I have a few questions about
swordtails! Beh., comp., repro. – 07/01/07
Dear Crew at WetWebMedia
Hello, my name is Oksana. I have two swordtails, a male and female, and a 1 1/2
gallon tank. (Yes, I know, terrible, but my parents won't let me get a bigger
one.) Bob, the male, has been living a few months in my possession, seems very
healthy. Betty, (The female, I just got her today, June 30) seems healthy too.
Before Betty, we've had male swordtails, and Bob, being the dominant one, has
always shown a little aggression toward the smaller and weaker ones, and
unfortunately, they perished. So anyway, Bob was left alone. The problem is, is
that Betty is pregnant. We got her pregnant already from the fish store, and Bob
keeps nipping at her. Not full class "bites" just nips. She chases him away of
course, but I keep wondering if that's normal swordtail behavior. I have read
most of your pages in breeding swordtails, but do you have any extra advice? The
local Petshop has already to take in the young fry when they're a few months
old, but I have a question on that too. How fast do fry mature? I have seaweed
in my tank, a filter, and a hiding place, (Yes, I wonder how they all fit and
the fish still have swimming room...) so I don't think I need to take the female
out when she gives birth. Any other tips on what to do will be fully
appreciated. Thanks very much, Oksana
<Greetings. Yes, 1.5 gallons is far too small for swordtails. A 20 gallon tank
would be my recommendation for fishes as large and active as these. Males are
aggressive, and in small tanks it is safest to keep just one male plus 2-3
females. Females do get harassed by males. There's nothing you can do to prevent
this in a tank as small as yours. In a bigger tank, you can rely on plants and
rocks to give the female security. But in a small tank, she has nowhere to hide.
Long term, the male will likely kill any fry that appear as well. Do not, under
any circumstances, place the female in a breeding trap or breeding net.
Swordtails are too big for these, and get stressed. Worse case, they die, but
more usually spend all their time thrashing about trying to escape. As you know,
swordtails are very fast and extremely good at jumping. The ideal when breeding
livebearers is to place the female into another tank where she can deliver her
fry safely. Good luck! Neale> |
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My swordtails have been harassing my goldfish! Well, the two aren't
compatible species, in many senses... 1/10/07
I have a 15 gallon tank with two 2 inch long female fantails, three swordtails,
and an albino Pleco.
<The Pleco will soon outgrow that tank, as it can reach over a foot in length!
Perhaps more problematic is that swordtails are tropical fish and goldfish are
cooler water fish...the two aren't compatible. You need to have two separate
environments; one cool for the goldfish, and one warm for the tropicals. Do
read here for basic info. on the two very different types of fish you've got:
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile27.html
http://www.geocities.com/shtinkythefish/qgold.htm >
I have a male swordtail which is about two inches long (underdeveloped tail
included) and two females which barely make an inch and a half, and lately I've
been noticing the swordtails will nip and sometimes chase my goldfish.
<This is yet another problem of housing the two species together...>
I read on the internet that swordtails and goldfish don't tend to generally mix
well...
<Mostly because each has very different environmental requirements!>
...but I was wondering if this will maybe lead to a fatality on the goldfishes
part.
<It could. And, depending upon what conditions this tank is kept at (pH, temp.,
etc.), the swords could also become fatalities. Bottom line: you need to
research any fish purchase prior to buying it. Had you done so, you would have
quickly seen these two types of fish do not belong together. Here's a very nice
by Bob Fenner on setting up a proper goldfish tank -
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm - and I highly
recommend a book entitled "A Simple Guide to the Freshwater Aquarium" by David
E. Boruchowitz for basic info. on all sorts of tropical fish, including
swordtails. Also, do read here for livebearer species info:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/poeciliids.htm >
The nips have never (that I've seen) punctured through the scales and their
tails are practically intact but I was wondering if this was maybe
psychologically harmful to my goldfish, as silly as it sounds.
<It doesn't sound silly at all...in fact, constant harassment can lead to a
compromised immune system, along with physiological damage, etc. You need to
separate the goldfish from the swordtails for a variety of reasons, as cited
above.
Best regards,
Jorie>
Goldfish and swordtail compatibility? 6/20/06
Hi again Jorie
<Lise>
Sorry for bothering you a lot.
<It's OK - I'm here to help.>
My girlfriend's grandmother has gold fish and I asked her she wanted sword tails
after they got big she ask if swordtails go with gold fish but I didn't know so
I told her I'd ask the girl that helps with my fish.
<These two fish are not compatible - goldfish are cold water fish, whereas
swordtails are tropical species.
I would strongly suggest that you do some more reading at this point, as many of
your questions are very basic and fundamental. I don't recall if I suggested it
to you already, but if not, I would highly recommend you either purchase or
check out from your local library David E. Boruchowitz's Simple Guide to
Freshwater Aquariums (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0793821010/sr=8-1/qid=1150753336/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4720261-3501636?%5Fencoding=UTF8) This
book discusses the nitrogen cycle in a very easy way to understand, as well as
different species of fish and which are compatible with which others. The only
qualm I have about suggesting this book is the author tends to advocate
overstocking tanks, in my opinion. Aside from that, the book is an invaluable
resource.
I don't at all mind answering questions, but you must also take the initiative
to research the basics on your own. Good luck, Jorie>
Angelfish 'n Platies
Crew,
I read the post & Sabrina's reply to the reader with an impressive
collection of FW fish in a 58G tank.
<Say my name, and magically I appear! Sabrina with you, today>
Among the multitude of fish in the tank were angels and platies and swordfish.
Over the years, I have never had much luck keeping angels and platies/swordtails
thriving in the same tank. My daughters have taken over the FW in our house now
that I have moved to SW. My 10 y/o wants an angel and a swordfish, but I have
resisted so far.
<One swordtail wouldn't be a very happy fish - they really like/need to
school. Two females (or more) per every one male. At that, one angel wouldn't
make for a very happy critter, either, I'm afraid - and angels will eat baby
swordtails, so don't plan on raising many. On top of that, two angels in a tank
will likely try to breed, and will turn aggressive to their tankmates. I prefer
to see angels in larger tanks where they can have space needed to establish
territory if they do breed (at the least, a 55 gallon tank, IMO, to try to have
other fish with them).>
Am I correct in my understanding that their optimal pH and hardness ranges are
different enough that it is difficult to keep them together?
<I wouldn't think so; platies, swords, and angels have been bred in captivity
long enough that they can tolerate a very wide range of pH and hardness. Angels
will tolerate pH much lower than the platies and swords, and the platies and
swords can go with a much harder, alkaline water than the angels. Platies and
swords can even go brackish. But I definitely think there's enough neutral
ground to keep them together (as long as you're not dealing with wild stock).>
Also, the fish guy at the local Petco tells me that the hardiness and general
health of the swords and platies available at retail had been going down in the
past few years, probably from genetic problems.
<Likely true. The same can be said for guppies and mollies, as well, I would
think. Too much selective inbreeding without taking care to add in fresh
genes.>
I've been hearing similar concerns about angels recently - too much inbreeding
for certain desirable traits leading to problems with other genes.
<Exactly. I've even seen in stores in the last couple of years angels with very
significant deformities - missing or malformed fins, malformed heads, etc. If
possible, try to get angels from good, reputable breeders instead of from stores
where some of the angels exhibit deformities.>
Thanks, Steve
Swordtails
Thanks for the advice. I will continue to keep an eye it and I will begin to
feed all my fish some thawed frozen peas. On another note, I have a male and a
female red wag swordtail. The male, when I first bought him, was so timid that
he rarely left my Anubias plant. He slowly got more energetic and lately I have
seen him doing his mating ritual of swimming backwards incredible fast quite a
bit. His partner is obviously gravid and he rarely leaves her side. I just added
two beautiful sunset platies (male and female) and he does not seem to like them
very much. He is not terribly aggressive, as he does not constantly chase them,
but when he does, it is usually quite violent. I noticed a nipped tail fin on
the female and I cannot quite figure out what is bothering him so much given his
previous timidity. After I saw the nipped fin, I isolated him in a breeding net
and I plan to keep him there for a few days. I have not had much luck with this
method of calming the fish down, however. Would adding a few more female
swordtails help the situation?
<A good idea... one or two more females>
If so, should I add them while he is in the net? Or, should I wait and see if
he calms down first? Thanks again for
all the useful advice! -Brody
<Mmm, either way... but likely better while the male is isolated. Bob Fenner>
Aggressive swordtails 8/9/05
Hey I have a 15 gallon with 3 "teenager" marble Sailfin mollies, and 6
swordtails (2 red-white, 2 green, 1 black, 1 pineapple).
I have 3 males and 3 females, and I know that the female ratio needs to be
higher, so I put 1 male in my 10 gallon, but my males continued to be very
aggressive.
<Happens... ratios are better at three or more females per male>
The mollies seem to have nothing to do with the swords, and the swords are not
aggressive toward the mollies.
<About right>
So I continued to watch them and the "bully" male is quite larger than the other
2 males, and 2 females. He chases around the two males and the two smaller
females. However, the large female chases him around!!
So is there anything you suggest before I can find some time to find some new
healthy females to add?? Thanks.
BMERANG
<Separate the bully... in a hanging net, breeding trap, floating colander in the
tank. Bob Fenner>
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