A swordtail fish, scientifically known as Xiphophorus helleri, is native to Central and Northern America. Swordtails, on the other hand, are now found all over the planet. Their popularity among aquarists stems from the fact that they are relatively easy to maintain. The reproduction of a swordtail fish, on the other hand, is a little more challenging. This process can be challenging for persons who have little or no experience caring for animals. As a result, I’ve opted to talk about how swordtail fish reproduce.
Once swordtail fish reach sexual maturity, they start to reproduce. Swordtails get mature for breeding around the age of 3 months. The reproduction in swordtails does not take place by the release of eggs. Instead, the female retains the eggs within her body in swordtails, and the young are born alive.
In this article, we will also discuss your part in reproduction and how to care for newborns.
Reproduction Process In Swordtail Fish
Swordtail fish are popular, not only because of their easy care but also because of their easy breeding process. However, while swordtails are easy to breed, and you can easily breed them at home, it can be an issue for irresponsible breeding. This is because swordtail fish tend to be overpopulated.
Swordtail fish, like most fish, reproduce by sexual reproduction. Nonetheless, their reproduction process is slightly different as they are livebearers.
A swordtail fish is ovoviviparous, which means, contrary to most fish, it does not spawn or lay eggs. Instead, Fry (baby swordtails) are hatched while still inside their mother, being born more developed than most fish.
Favorable Conditions For Swordtail Fish To Reproduce
Swordtail fish need certain conditions so that they can have successful reproduction. You need to take care of certain things so that swordtail fish can easily reproduce. Some of those criteria are:
Water Temperature
Swordtail fish usually live in temperatures between 65 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, to initiate mating and spawning, the best water temperature would be 75 degrees. Swordtails get comfortable at this temperature, which makes reproduction easier.
Hiding Spots
Swordtail females are stressed during pregnancy and labor. Therefore, for successful reproduction, you should add a lot of hiding spots so that they can deliver the babies in peace.
Separate Tank
It will be easier if you keep your pregnant swordtail in a separate breeding tank so that they get privacy along with abundant tank space. In this condition, swordtail fish are less stressed and can reproduce without complications.
Proper Diet
Swordtail females are quite small for spawning 100-150 babies at once. For that reason, she needs to be fed properly. She has to get the nutrients that are sufficient for her and her babies.
If you take care of these things, your swordtail fish might be able to reproduce easily and successfully.
How Does A Swordtail Get Pregnant?
Simply talking, swordtail fish get pregnant after the mating procedure. But, the mating procedure can be a hassle for both male and female swordtail fish.
During mating, the male chases and harasses the female, who will hide from him among the plants and objects of the aquarium. When she allows him to approach or is distracted, the male inserts his gonopodium near the anal fin of the female, thereby releasing his sperm. This action is fast and takes no manual assistance. Thus, there are chances of missing it if you do not pay close attention.
The sperm is subsequently stored in a female swordtail. Her gestation period might last up to twenty-eight days after being fertilized until she gives birth to her fry. However, because of prolonged or delayed labor, it can sometimes take up to thirty-two days.
The fascinating aspect of the entire process is that a female swordtail can store male sperm for up to ten months. Furthermore, they can sometimes give birth to multiple broods without having to mate again.
Is My Swordtail Fish Pregnant?
It’s easy to tell if your female swordtail is pregnant, even if you missed the mating ritual. The telltale symptoms of a pregnant swordtail are unmistakable. Therefore, it’s critical to recognize the signs of a pregnant swordtail so that you can properly care for them.
One of the most obvious symptoms that a swordtail is pregnant is that it becomes visibly bigger over the course of a few weeks. In addition, you’ll see a black mark on the swordtail’s abdomen called a “gravid spot” when she’s pregnant with eggs; this point will darken once the eggs are fertilized.
Furthermore, many females experience a loss of appetite as well as nervousness and restlessness. It’s also a place where pregnant female swordtails rub themselves in aquarium objects, like plants, decors, or tank glass itself.
Is Your Swordtail About To Give Birth?
How do you know if your swordtail is ready to spawn? Here are some signs you should be careful about:
- Have a better look at the gravid spot. As the spot gets darker, your fish is more close to the labor.
- The belly of your swordtail is large and slightly squared. This is a sign that labor is around the corner.
- Your fish becomes inactive. They will limit their movement and stay in one corner of the tank, ready to give birth.
It would help if you were very careful to look after your fish after the pregnancy. Make sure to read all the signs and do all you can to facilitate the birthing process.
Is My Swordtail Fish In Labor?
Although swordtail fry delivery is very uncomplicated, it can be dangerous for the mother and her fry. If there are other fish in the tank, the neonates will be eaten. As a result, you must know what to do if your swordtail gives birth. Her pregnancy lasts approximately 28 days. Don’t worry if you don’t know when the swordtails are mated; identifying when a swordtail is in labor is simple.
You’ll notice that her abdomen swells up a few days before she gives birth. It will lose its roundness and take on a square appearance. This is because the gravitational center, which darkens during pregnancy, will have become larger. You may also detect a handful of dark specks in this location; these are the eyes of the swordtail fry that have yet to hatch.
Loss of appetite and anxious behavior are two further indicators. Small tremors will emerge in the female’s body during her contractions, which is typical during delivery. Seeing a female swordtail give birth is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We recommend moving the female swordtail to a breeding aquarium if she is in an aquarium with other species or on her own, especially if you suspect she is close to giving birth. You will prevent her newborn offspring from getting devoured if you do this.
100 individual babies can make up a fry litter. It might take up to three days for a female swordtail to give birth. Therefore, it’s critical to return the mother to her native tank once the fry offspring are born. There’s a chance the mother will devour the fry if you leave her in the tank with them.
How To Take Care Of Swordtail Fry?
Fry is entirely self-sufficient from the minute they are born, making their care quite simple. They reach full maturity after three months. We recommend keeping them in the breeding aquarium away from other mature fish that might consume them before this happens.
Maintain a constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in the tank and replace the water once a week. Add a lot of plants to the tank and a sponge filter that won’t swallow the young fry.
Feed crushed food to the young two to three times a day. You’ll feed children in the same way that you feed grownups. Place the food on the water’s surface so that the fry may devour it.
As soon as you notice any ill or dead fish, remove them from the tank. This is necessary to keep the other fry fish from becoming infected.
How To Grow And Reproduce Swordtails Responsibly?
One of the biggest issues with this species’ reproduction is indiscriminate reproduction and a lack of understanding of the value of natural mating rituals. Many people use the fertility of these fish. Irresponsible breeders force reproduction with zeal, regardless of the aquarium’s circumstances or the high mortality rate associated with poor care.
Furthermore, the search for certain swordtail color combinations has contributed to the species’ genetic burden decreasing. However, the upshot of this careless cross-breeding is feeble specimens with a short lifespan.
Many people try to breed this species without altering the tank to the appropriate size. We recommend adopting either swordtail females or only swordtail males to minimize overcrowding in a tank. Separate the males from the females in two tanks. You might also put them in a tank with other species. These other species will slow down the mating ritual.
FAQs
Here are some related questions on how swordtail fish reproduce.
How Do Swordtails Mate?
Swordtails mate very quickly and effectively. If you are not paying proper attention, you might even miss it. The mating ritual of swordtails is unique and can sometimes turn aggressive.
Typically, a male will choose his partner for mating and approaches her. This might be followed by the male chasing the female around for a bit. Finally, the male will try to attract females in various ways, like flaring his fins.
Male swordtails have a peculiar appearance like the sword-like protrusion on their caudal fins. Male use their “sword” and fins to impress females. Once they choose a partner, mating takes place.
The male will casually try to swim close to the female and touch her underside the anal fin with his gonopodium. Then, finally, the sperm transfers into the female, and the mating ritual are complete.
How Many Babies Do Swordtails Bear?
Livebearers like the swordtail do not lay eggs. Rather, they give birth to live fry. Swordtail can produce 50-100 at one time.
Swordtails can be pregnant at least once a month. This means they can give birth again 4-6 weeks after the first birth.
Why Is My Swordtail Not Giving Birth?
Maintaining their health, tank conditions, water parameters, etc., is very important to facilitate birthing in your swordtail.
Although breeding swordtails do not need any external initiation, causes like stress, improper water conditions could lead to your swordtail not giving birth.
Similarly, swordtails will delay their delivery when the babies are immature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Swordtail fish easily reproduce about 100-150 live fry without complication if you take care of their water temperatures, tank conditions, and diet.
Swordtail fish are easy to breed and can breed in no time. They are mature and ready to reproduce after 3 months old and can spawn fry once every 2 months.
Swordtail will overpopulate as they are prolific breeders. Hence, if you are not breeding swordtail fish, avoid keeping male and female swordtails together.
Swordtail fish reproduce efficiently. So, if you want cute little fish to swarm up your tank, a swordtail would be a perfect choice.
