My Swordtail had given birth to new baby swordtails a few months ago. Some of the baby Swordtails were eaten by the mother which shocked me. I thought the mother Swordtail will take care of her fry but how wrong I was. That’s when I realized we ourselves need to care for Swordtail fry.
So, I researched the internet and found useful tips to take care of a Swordtail fry. I’d like to share my general knowledge about this with you too. Let’s get started.
To take care of Swordtail fry, you need to separate them in another tank because the swordtail parents and other fish may eat the fry. After separation, provide nutritious diets like baby brine shrimps, egg yolk, crushed flakes, and pellets for the fry’s growth. Perform frequent water changes and maintain similar water parameters to adult Swordtails.
How Many Babies Can A Swordtail Have?
Swordtails are prolific breeders. Swordtails have a specific duration of pregnancy. After that, Swordtails give birth to as many as 60-70 baby fry. You must also know that Swordtails are livebearers. So, they give to fry directly rather than laying eggs.
If you have Swordtails in your tank, expect your tank to be overcrowded within a few months.
Here’s How You Can Take Care For Swordtail Fry
I noticed that once my pregnant swordtail had given birth, the fry swam on their own. I also noticed that the fry appears small and pale in color. You may confuse the Swordtail fry with tadpoles, at least, I did.
Soon, you will be filled with love for these tadpole-like creatures. Caring for them will be the next thing on your mind.
Well, caring for Swordtail fry is really simple which you can read below.
Lookout For Pregnant Swordtail
Mother’s health is closely related to fry’s health. Thus, if you provide good care for your pregnant Swordtail, her fry will be healthy too. It’s simple math.
Tending to diet, water parameters, stress-free condition, will automatically liven up your pregnant Swordtail.
Moreover, diagnosing pregnancy will allow you to get time for preparations for your fry tank.
Care For Swordtail Fry By Separating Them
Please bear this in mind: Swordtails are livebearers. Livebearer fish don’t have any parental instinct towards their fry. Thus, these fish easily eat their young.
Separation of fry from the adults and mother is important if you want the fry to survive.
Otherwise, the mother Swordtail will feed on her baby fry. You don’t want that, do you?
Well, if you don’t want that to happen, there are 3 ways to separate the fry.
Separate Fry Tank
You should invest in a separate fry tank.
So that, once your Swordtail has given birth, you can pull out the fry and keep them in your new fry tank. The tank should house at least 30+ gallons of water.
A separate fry tank is a hassle-free method. This is because the baby Swordtails will have their own environment to thrive in.
There will be no predators to eat them. And there will be no threat.
Breeding Box
Some people invest in a breeding box if they haven’t invested in a fry tank.
A breeding box is a box containing small holes from where the Swordtail fry can escape. However, the mother Swordtail will have to remain in the breeding box until she delivers all her fry.
The breeding box is suitable for fry. But, for the mother Swordtail, it is a nightmare. Who likes to live inside a congested box for many hours or even days? It will only bring stress to your fish.
Tank Divider
This is done by people who didn’t have time to invest in a fry tank.
So, you can get a glass tank divider. Then, keep mother Swordtail on one side. And the fry on another side.
After the mother Swordtail has rested for 2 days in the tank, you can shift her to the community tank. Then, you can remove the tank divider. You can give the whole tank to your fry after that.
This is the best method. Because you don’t have to use another tank.
However, your tank should be huge to house the mother Swordtail and her fry. Otherwise, overcrowding may occur.
A 40-gallon tank is suitable for a tank divider.
Care For Swordtail Fry By Providing Good Diet
Swordtail fry is really tiny. But, to grow into strong adults, these baby fish need a good diet. So, here’s where you play your role.
However, you should be really careful about the amount you feed. Feed your fry only what they can eat in under 3 minutes. If excess food remains at the end of 3 minutes, scoop the extra food with a net.
You should feed your fry only 2-3 times a day. Excess food may pollute your fry tank. And, you do not want that.
Swordtail fry eats whatever fits in their tiny mouth. Thus, you should provide them tiny food like infusoria or baby brine shrimps.
Fry also benefits from the aquatic plants you keep in your aquarium. To mimic the natural wilderness, you can provide your fry with larvae, insects, and algae. But, since this food can cause diseases, it will be better to provide your fry with HIGH-QUALITY flake food rich in omega and vitamins.
Other than this, you can feed your fry with the following making sure that the food is crushed into tiny bits. Swordtail babies have a tiny mouth, you know?
- Boiled and crushed egg yolk.
- Crushed flakes and pellets.
- Micro worms
- Daphnia
Ideal Tank Conditions
If you are getting a separate fry tank, it is necessary to maintain the water parameters. Otherwise, your fry won’t thrive and grow much.
I’ve heard many incidents where Swordtail fry fail to grow because the tank wasn’t big enough. Or, the water conditions were worse off. So, please maintain your tank well.
Swordtail babies thrive in the following water parameters:
- 72-80 Fahrenheit temperature is ideal for juveniles. (Juvenile is the growth stage of a Swordtail fish after the fry stage.)
- Water change of 25% every 2 weeks.
- a pH of 7.0 – 8.4
Place Lots Of Plants As Care For Swordtail Fry
If you disagree with keeping a separate tank, you can do one thing. Why not heavily plant your community aquarium?
Once the swordtails are born, they will seek refuge in the plants. You will probably lose some baby fish but it’s natural selection after all.
Since the Swordtail fry is light, they float up. Thus, you can invest in floating plants that sit on the top, e.g. Hornworts, Anacharis, and Cabomba.
Some fry feed on the plants for nutrients. So, it’ll be better to use natural plants. But, artificial plants are perfect for long-term use.
To Know more about aquarium plants, you can read this: 9 Best Low Light Aquarium Plants | Benefits of Aquarium Plants
The Filter System
I’ve seen fish fry stuck in the filter of my tank because they’re just so tiny. Scared out of my wits, I kept a sponge on the filter to prevent this incident from repeating.
This incident is more common than you think. So, if you are about to bear some fry, please keep the filter protected with a sponge so your fry doesn’t get stuck in there.
Lightning
Swordtail Fry needs to get some good sleep for proper growth. Thus, you should turn off the light of your aquarium for 7-8 hours daily for your fry to rest.
Moreover, fry grows well if they’re exposed to direct sunlight for 8 hours daily. However, the temperature of the tank should be maintained well.
When Can You Introduce Fry Into Your Community Tank?
Once the fry grows big, it’s time to shift them to your community tank.
Fry develops into juveniles within 4 weeks. And juveniles are usually fit for a community tank. If you’ve provided a good diet and optimum conditions in your tank, 4 weeks is enough for fry to turn into juveniles.
So, here’s a rule of thumb. If the fry is smaller than the adult Swoordtail’s mouth, it’s too early for shifting.
But, if the fry has grown large and doesn’t fit in the adult Swordtail’s mouth, it’s time to farewell the fry tank. And, it’s time for the juveniles to mesh with the community tank.
Swordtail Overpopulation Control
If you are overwhelmed by the number of Swordtail babies, you can sell them in an aquarium shop nearby. Or, gift those baby fish to your relative or neighbor.
If you are bold enough, hear me out. Natural selection is cruel but you can drop the fry in your community tank to be another fish’s food.
But, this is harsh. So, it’s better to sell the fry. Or rather, keep the fry in a separate tank and name it as a Swordtail community tank.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take For Swordtail Fry To Grow?
Swordtail fry will take 6 months to grow into full adults. To make them grow faster, you should give optimum conditions in your tank. Alongside, the diet should also be sufficient and balanced.
Why Do Swordtails Eat Their Fry?
Livebearer fish are notorious for eating their young. These fish don’t have parental instincts at all. Swordtail also, sadly, happens to be a livebearer.
Closing Word
I bet you’re a good fish owner who cares for your fry. I can’t wait for your fry to be introduced into your community tank. Until then, happy fish keeping.
