Swordtail fish: maintenance, species, breeding

Aquarium enthusiasts of all skill levels often choose swordtail fish as their aquarium fish of choice. These fish, which are distinguished by their vivid colors and unusual sword-like tail, liven up any tank. Hobbyists love them for their lively nature and comparatively simple maintenance.

Swordtails come in various species, each with distinct traits. For those wishing to add some color to their aquarium, these fish offer a variety of options from their vivid red hues to striking green tones. Selecting the ideal fit for your tank can be made easier if you are aware of the various types.

Swordtail fish are also highly favored because they are bred. These livebearers are renowned for procreating swiftly and with little assistance from the aquarium keeper. With the correct circumstances and a little knowledge, you can take pleasure in seeing your Swordtails flourish and proliferate.

General characteristics

Swordtails and pecilia are easily distinguished as "relatives" based solely on appearance, which makes sense given that both species of fish are members of the same family. These beautiful animals can be found in the reservoirs of Mexico and Central America. This fish’s natural color is only green; the typical red hue is a result of artificial breeding. Breeders with experience have found that swordtails and red-colored platies make good crosses. This has led to the breeding of different shades, the quantity of which is growing daily.

Swordtails are fascinating to a lot of people because of this remarkable trait. The truth is that these fish can change their sex, something that many others cannot. Thus, in the event that the aquarium contains exclusively female fish by accident, some of them may develop a sword and turn into males as a result of the stressful environment. This makes it possible to have children, although experience has shown that these couples only have female children.

Naturally, swordtails grow larger in the wild than they do in an aquarium. Males can only grow to a maximum of 10 cm, while females can grow to a maximum of 13 cm. Even the most unskilled novice will be able to tell people apart based on their gender. The long, sword-shaped process on the tail of males is what sets them apart. Multiple swords can even be present in selection forms.

The swordsmen’s natural color is gray-olive, with reddish-brown stripes running the length of their bodies. They are more pronounced in men. When discussing mixed species, it is possible for their stripes to differ greatly. Yellow, brilliant golden, red, black, etc.D. are a few examples.

The sword-bearer is an entirely humble member of the aquatic wildlife. Their lifespan is five to six years if they eat a healthy diet and consume the right materials. The following are the parameters of the water:

1. Optimum temperature for their comfortable content of 24-26 degrees. However, they calmly tolerate its decrease to +15;
2. The rigidity of the special does not matter, since the fish withstand fluctuations in 8-25 dH;
3. Acidity-7-9 pH.

Swordsmen can choose their own food, so the aquarist is free to select what he thinks is most appropriate. It can be various specialized granules, dried daphnia, moth, artemia, dry flakes, etc. Furthermore, if you go away from home for a week or two without feeding them, nothing bad will happen to them. Swordtails will consume the algae growths on any live plants in the aquarium in addition to small snails.

Weekly water changes of approximately one-third of the total volume are advised. Swordtails also need to be aerated. The water gets warmer and the concentration of oxygen decreases during the hot season of the year. For this reason, it’s critical that the cooling system and compressor run continuously throughout the summer.

Swordtail males typically leap out of the water. Thus, it is best to cover the tank with a lid to prevent population decline.

The most commonplace setting can be an aquarium containing swordtail fish. It suffices to use standard medium-fraction soil (this is not so important for this type of fish). Live plants are necessary because fish typically eat mostly algae and fiber. This type of feeding will help to vary the diet. Additionally, dense thickets will provide them with cover.

The aquarium’s capacity for swordtails may vary. The growth of each individual determines the volume. Big girls, up to 10 or 12 cm, need 10 to 15 liters per person. Approximated calculations indicate that a minimum 60–70 liter capacity is required for a school of six fish.

Aquarium enthusiasts frequently choose swordtail fish because of their eye-catching colors, wide range of species, and ease of maintenance. Clean water, a balanced diet, and well-maintained tanks are ideal for their growth. Because they are easy to breed, they are a fantastic choice for aquarists of all skill levels. Swordtails can bring beauty and activity to any home aquarium with their vibrant behavior and adaptability.

What diseases are swordtails susceptible to?

These fish have a number of benefits, one of which is their immunity to different illnesses. A new fish should only be released into the aquarium after a week of quarantine (during which it should be kept in a different jar). It will be evident from this action whether the fish is ill or not.

The main cause of diseases is improper care. Poor conditions of maintenance, the absence of live and plant food in the diet reduces the immunity of the fish. Weakened individuals tend to pick up ichthyophthyriosis (aquarists call this ailment Mankeu). The causative agent is an equivalent cilia, which begins to actively multiply on the body of weak fish, causing itching. A white plaque also appears on the surface of scales and fins. Do not worry, because the fungus is quickly and easy to treat. It is enough to lower the infected fish into salty water or a weak solution of manganese. Beginners should only use salt, since the incorrect dosage of manganese can kill fish.

The biggest issue facing swordsmen is heliodonellosis. The majority of other fish species are not affected by this illness. The primary signs that identify the illness are as follows:

• A gray-blue plaque appears around the spine and around it;
• Appetite worsens;
• The fish becomes sluggish and inactive.

Antiprotozoal medications should be administered and sick fish should be quarantined right away.

Compatibility with other fish

Fish that are peaceful and get along well with their neighbors are swordtails. Guppies, mollies, platies, neons, gourami, and angelfish can all be kept in the same aquarium as them without risk. Your neighbors will suffer if you place them with smaller, inactive fish. Males like to display their dominance and territory by nibbling fins. They may also battle with one another. As a result, it’s critical to preserve equilibrium. The fact that there are more women than men is significant. The ratio of females to males should be roughly 2-3.

Reproduction

It is viviparous fish. The progeny are born completely formed right away. Raising the water temperature to 26–27 degrees is required for reproduction, and the outcome will appear quickly. For forty days, the female carries her eggs. She has gained noticeable weight in the last few days.

It is now the appropriate time to put it in a spawning tank with small-leafed plants. This is required to provide the fry with a place to hide from their parents, who may try to kill them. Swordtails that eat well avoid touching their young, but the opposite can also occur. The parents are put back in the shared aquarium as soon as the fry show up. The fry should be taken out until they are ready to eat if everything that happened in it happened there.

The fry must be fed heavily at first. Use crushed egg yolk, live dust, and frozen daphnia. Spirulina and fiber should be included in the diet for the fry to grow up strong, healthy, and colorful. The grown fry can be moved into a shared container when it is 2-3 cm in size.

It is important to discuss the spawning tank’s temperature separately. This determines the fry’s level of comfort as well as their gender and sexual maturity. It has been observed by breeders that more males and more females are born in warm and cold water, respectively. Viviviparous females mature in 5–6 months on average, at which point they are prepared to spawn.

Because of their lively colors and energetic temperament, swordtail fish can make wonderful aquarium pets. These fish are a terrific option for both novice and experienced aquarists because they require little maintenance.

You can select the species that best fit your aesthetic tastes and tank environment from a large selection that is offered. They are a great addition to any community aquarium due to their gregarious nature and get along well with other peaceful fish.

Since swordtails are livebearers, breeding them is also simple. With a little perseverance and the correct conditions, you can watch as the next generation of these energetic fish develops in your tank.

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