Tropical Fish Forums

MattyP · Regulars Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Location: Houston Texas

OK I have 2 red swordtails (a male and a female).will the female be alright by her-self with the male for now? or would I have to go get another female.

I was just wondering because all the places that talk about swordtails say that it is perfered to keep a 2:1 ratio, the females outnumbering the males.

thanks

Flame Angel · Regulars Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia

What size are they? And how big is the tank? Also, it might help if it is heavily plated. Is the male chasing and attacking the female?

DF Bobo · Exemplars Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Canada

usually they are kept in that ratio so the may divides his time between the 2 females and is not constantly bickering one to breed. like flame_angel11 said, it would work if you kept a 1:1 ration in a large, heavily planted tank with lots of hiding places.
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MattyP · Regulars Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Location: Houston Texas

they bith are about 2 inches long and I just added a bunch of plants to my tank which is a 10g.
At first the male always bothered her, now he really doesn't but they both swim together around the tank.

Sammie7 · Regulars Joined: 18 May 2006

Just to make sure, you do know that swordtails get to be about 4-5 inches? That's too big for a 10 gallon. Perhaps you were planning on moving them later? http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sword.php

MattyP · Regulars Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Location: Houston Texas

PeterIreland

Swordtails rarely attain that size.

I would add an extra female to share the attention of the male. I used to keep them and breed them years ago, I used a ratio of 4:1.

Bob · Moderators Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: UK

PeterIreland

Hi Bob,

Are you including the caudal fin in that measurement or is it the body itself.

Just curious, I've honestly never seen a swordtail even close to that length.

Peter.

Bob · Moderators Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: UK

I am working on body, female Swordtails can get surprisingly large. Males seem to stop growing or grow less, once they develop the tail, so we have males of various sizes from 2 inches to nearer 3 1/2, but they really need more room than a 10 gallon.

Just been down to my boys tank (Where the Swordtails are), one of his males, including its tail, is nearly as long as a full grown Firemouth Cichlid (Easily six inches).

Bob

PS for the record our Swordtails are all home bred, and in a 30 gallon tank with a Firemouth and Bronze Corys.