Swordtail fry are a popular breed of fish that many hobbyists love to keep in their tanks. They are easy to care for and have an incredibly unique look. The same goes for swordtail fry. Many aquarists often ask if they can breed swordtails and keep the fry in the same tank. So, can swordtail fry survive in the main tank?
Swordtail fry can survive in the main tank, given we take care of certain things. But, it is precarious. It’s best not to keep swordtail fry in the main tank until they grow into juveniles because they can get lost in the primary tank and or eaten by predators.
For this reason, it’s important to set up a separate breeding tank for swordtails fry so that they will be safe while you wait for them to grow up!
Is It Suitable To Keep Fry In The Main Tank?
Swordtail fry can survive in the main tank if you make sure to keep watch of them. But, it is not always possible.
We should keep swordtail fry away from predators by being put into separate breeding tanks until they grow up. Then, when we release them back into our main aquariums, there is no risk of predation or lost fry due to escapees from other tanks! It’s best not to chance.
Avoid putting swordtail fry in the main tank. It’s hazardous, and they are so small that it would be easy for them to get lost or eaten by other fish, like cichlids. Instead, we should keep swordtails fry away from predators by being put into separate breeding tanks until they grow up.
Risks Of Putting Swordtail Fry In The Main Tank
Swordtails fry are tiny and can be eaten by other larger fish in the tank, including their parents.
Keeping swordtail fry in the main tank is a risky move because different fish prey on them. Therefore, swordtails fry should not be put into tanks with other fish species until they grow up to prevent predation or escapees from predators.
So swordtail fry can survive in the main tank if you take care of certain things! But it’s just risky, and so it’s best not to change it right now when swordtail fry needs safety in their early stages while waiting for them to grow up!
And this means keeping swordtails fry away from all other types of fish until they’re mature enough to survive outside of the tank.
Why Shouldn’t You Keep Swordtail Fry In Main Tank?
The main tank contains a larger number of swordtails, if not wide varieties of fish. The bigger fish are stronger than your fry. So, if you keep these tiny fry in the main tank, they cannot vent for themselves.
Reasons why it’s not a good idea to keep swordtail fry in the main tank:
Not Enough Space
A female swordtail gives birth to around 100-150 fry at a time. Moreover, the main tank is already crowded with other larger fish. In such a scenario, there won’t be enough space for your tiny creatures.
Keeping swordtail fry in the main tank doesn’t give them enough space resulting in a lower growth rate when the swordtail fry is inside.
Other Fish Can Easily Prey Upon Them
The swordtail fry is too small for the main tank with larger fish inside it; if the bigger fish go after the swordtail fry in the tank, they cannot save themselves.
Other fish and the parents themselves may eat swordtail fry. This is because swordtails do not have parental instincts. So, they may not recognize their own offspring and nibble on them.
Can Get Sick Easily
the main tank contains lots of experienced fish. The tank also contains many parasites and bacterias carried around by these fish. Similarly, it also contains a lot of residue and debris.
Swordtail fry has weak immunity because, well, they are babies. Unhealthy tank conditions can lead to sickness and dangerous diseases, or even death.
What Is The Best Way To Keep Swordtail Fry Safe?
For swordtail fry, it’s best to keep them in a separate tank. This will ensure that they are safe from predators until they grow up, and you safely introduce them into the main aquarium!
It is best if swordtails fry stays in their own tanks until they have grown, and you can then reintroduce them into your main aquarium without worry about escapees or other fish attacking them! That may sound like a long time, but we think it’s worth it.
How To Set Up A Separate Tank For Swordtail Fry?
The swordtail fry will need lots of room to grow up into adulthood, so it’s best if you set up an aquarium with at least five gallons of water for them! You’ll also want some fake plants or real plants, as well as a few rocks and decorations inside their tanks that they can hide under when predators come around looking for lunchtime snacks.
Setting Up A Separate Tank For Swordtail Fry
First: Get a separate glass aquarium – preferably one gallon per fry-sized space (with about ten gallons being enough).
Second: Fill it up with water, preferably heated to swordtail fry’s preferred temperature.
Third: Add a filter and heater if you feel the need since swordtails are tropical fish!
Fourth: Put in some plants or rocks for your swordtail fry to hide behind when they’re feeling threatened by bigger fish that may be looking for lunchtime snacks!
Fifth: Wait until it is time to introduce them into your main tank without the worry of escapees or being eaten before introducing them into the main aquarium safely! If all goes well, you can move these fry back into their original home, which will now have more space thanks to them not living there anymore!!
Things To Take Care Of If You Want To Keep Your Fry In The Main Tank
If you want to keep your swordtail fry in the main aquarium, then make sure there are enough plants or hiding spots such that when these tiny creatures feel threatened, they can escape from predators safely!
These shelters will be critical since swordtail fishes don’t protect themselves, and other fish may only gobble them up like lunchtime snacks!
In addition, avoid dirty water conditions in the swordtail fry’s tank. This will help to keep swordtails fry healthy and safe from sickness or even death!
Moreover, feed them properly! Swordtail fry might not get enough food in the main tank as all the adults will hover and finish it up. So, it’s important to feed your fry carefully to help them grow into strong, healthy adults. You can accomplish this through occasional feedings of live or frozen food as well as a great plant-based pellet!
If you pay enough attention to these few conditions, then your swordtail fry might make it in the main tank.
Conclusion
When it comes to fry, the main tank is not always a good place. Swordtails are no exception. Smaller than most other types of fish fry, their size can be problematic in larger tanks as they are more likely to get lost, or bigger specimens can eat them.
To keep your swordtail fry safe and well-fed until they grow out of this vulnerable stage, aim for keeping them in smaller groups with plenty of hiding places and feedings every day.
