i have 2 tropical fisha and i find them fascinating, i want more (breeding)??? thankyou(10 points best answer)

Question

i want to buy a female and male swordtail caz i love the way they look. how can i breed them, do i need something in particular to breed them,, also can i keep them in a 4-5 gallon tank?? and how do i care for them in general, i have special tropical fish food that my 2 (female swordtail and mollie) fish lovee.. thankyou (10 points best answer)

all there will be in the tank will be the female and male (parents) and if they do breed i would probably take them out.

Answer 1

Swordtails are livebearers. Livebearers will breed no matter WHAT you do. The trick is to stop them breeding before you get overrun with swordtail fry.

No, you can't keep them in a 5 gallon tank. The MINIMUM tank size for ANY fish should be 10 gallons -even the betta fish is better off in a 10 gallon - but telling some people that is like talking to the man in the moon!

If you're going to breed them, get TWO - or even better - 3 females and one male. Don't pair them up because the male constantly chasing the female will stress her out and the stress will eventually kill her. Get them a 12-13 gallon tank and equip it with plants,filter, heater, background and gravel/sand. I wouldn't risk putting any other fish in there.

Answer 2

swordtails are easy to breed as they are live bearers. i would recommend you get a breeding net or tank to keep the fry in as they will get eaten, other than that you don't need to do any thing special. However breeding is affected by stress. If your tank is not maintained correctly i.e. too small, too dirty , not the right temperature the chances are the fish will be stressed. 5 gallons is a bit small but it all depends on how many fish you have and maintenance regime. A small tank is a lot harder to keep than a big one (especially for beginners)!

Answer 3

BREEDING SWORTAILS:
Breeding Tank:minimum of one metre in length.One male&four females per 100L.
Temperature:from 24-27c(74-79f)
PH:greater than7
Water hardness:greater tha 20dH
Filtration:3xthe tank's volume per hr.
Plant:lots,including java moss&floating(good for fry)elodia&barcopa also good plants.
Sexual differences:male has a GONOPODIUM,anal fin
Reproduction:easy(will explain..)
Hatching:Ovoviviparous fish'internal' hatching around 30days after fertalisation(will explain further..)
Parents food:all types,but largly vegetation&small live prey
Aggresivness:only between males(over girls/macho stuff)
These fish have the ability to give birth to fully formed fry.Male&female swortails have developed totally different anal fins(sex organs),thus the males has become a male appendage.Whilst the female also has a small vent.
In the male the anal fin is shaped like a small sword.It is with this(gonopodium)that the male swordtails deposit sperm into the female.
Shortly before birth,it is possible to make out the eyes of the young,showing through mums stretched tummy.The shell of the egg is so thin that the fry,aided by the cotortions of its mother,is expelled without difficulty.The fry immediatly seek shelter.
Precoocious males,sexually mature at an early age,remain amall in size because they use all their energy to breed.Other males,the late deceloper,only develops their sexual character later,waiting untill sufficiently large.This characteristic,sparks a rumor that females can suddenly change to males(theory?)
DEVELOPMENT OF FRY:
If you wish to raise young swordtails,it is advisable to seperate the female from other occupants of the tank.However breeding traps/nets are available.It is beat suggested these be avoided though as swortails ars easily affected by stress&often a placid female becomes frantic&gives birth prematurly,resulting in death of young.It is preferable to use a small tank filled with same water as the main tank,containing a large clump of java moss for fry to hide.YOUNG SWORDTAILS FIRST HAVE TO FLEE THEIR MOTHERS,who often seek to eat offspring.
The first food for fry should consist of brine shrimp nauplii(b/b shrimp)&or micro worms(can show you how to culture either,if need)Powdered food whist easier,should only be used as a suppliment&the plants will do the rest(elodia=great for micro bacteria)which if put in ahead of time will start to naturally form(infusoria)This diet together with regular water change(15%p/w)will allow the fry to grow rapidly.
After 3-4wks transfer them to a large aquarium&be patient...you will see them reach adulthood in about a year.
there,think i covered all,good luck.

Answer 4

If you really want to start breeding Swordtails get a good book,there are lots of things to learn. One inexpensive book that contains all the information you need is called "Aquarium Fish Breeding" ISBN # 0-8120-4474-6.

Answer 5

if you want them to breed you should get 2 males and 4 females. that way you will get alot of babies.