Swordtail fish is the best option for you if you are a new aquarium hobbyist. They are easy to care for and need very little external attention if the tank conditions are right. They are beautiful creatures that love to swim around the tank all day. But, what part of the tank do swordtails swim in?
Swordtail fish are active fish that move around the tank, exploring different parts all day. Swordtails are middle dwellers and are primarily found in the central part of the tank. If you find your swordtail fish at the top of the bottom part of the tank, you might have to be alarmed. This is because only sick or stressed swordtails stay at the top or lie at the bottom of the tank.
Healthy swordtails are mostly found actively swimming along the middle region of the tank. However, most swordtails tend to go to the bottom of the tank to get some rest too. Thus, you need to pay close attention to your swordtails if you find them anywhere except the middle part of the tank.
In this blog post, we will learn all we need to know about swordtails favorite places to swim and how to take care of their tank.
Description
The swordtail fish is a mid-dweller and one of the largest livebearer species. They can grow up to 5 inches (12 cm) in length.
Their tail sword is around 20 cm (8 inches) long, and their body is about the size of an adult human’s finger. Female swordtails are an inch and a half longer than male swordtails, but they lack the long, elongated tail of the males.
Swordtails have a five-year lifespan in the wild, although they can survive up to ten years in captivity. Before bringing swordtails into your home, make sure you plan because they develop quickly for the first two years and mature in the fifth.
Swordtail Fish Habitat
Swordtails are native to North and Central America’s fast-flowing freshwater bodies. However, some species can also be found in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and other higher-elevation areas along creeks, streams, rivers, and other waterways.
Similarly, the area where they are found features thick, lush foliage and various hiding places. They can only be found in tropical regions. As a result, they favor warm water. Since they swim in the middle part of their natural habitat, it is evident that they do the same in the tanks.
What Part Of The Tank Do Swordtail Fish Swim In?
Swordtail fish typically swim in the middle of the tank. However, sometimes you will find swordtails in another tank region or near the plants or the heater. That is why it is crucial to add hiding spots around the tank.
You can find swordtail fish in a different part of the tank, depending on their conditions.
The Middle Region
This is where they usually go swimming. Unless anything else captures their attention, they will usually stay in this tank area if there are no plants or rocks nearby.
Toward The Bottom
When there is an issue with the quality of the water, this occurs. Fish will sometimes swim to the bottom of the tank to protect themselves from potentially dangerous toxins. Check your filter or change some of your swordtail fish’s water if you find them swimming towards the bottom; this could indicate an oncoming disease.
The Top Region
If the water quality is poor, your swordtail fish may attempt to swim to the surface to escape something hazardous in the water. If it doesn’t go away fast, you’ll have to change some of their water or increase filtration until it does; otherwise, it could indicate an approaching disease.
In Close Proximity To Plants Or Other Decorations
Swordtail fish like densely planted aquariums. If they are close to plants then it may indicate that your fish is content and healthy. Plants are attractive to swordtails because they provide hiding places, cover from predators, and refuge for young swordtails. If your swordtail fish is lying in those plants without giving any peculiar signals, such as chewing the leaves, it’s reasonable to conclude that it likes it there.
Swordtail fish prefer to swim near plants and decorations because they provide areas for them to hide, relax, and investigate.
What Part Of the Tank Do Swordtails Swim At Night?
Some people are curious as to whether swordtails swim at night. Yes, they do, according to the answer. They usually sleep in a rock or any other location where their fins may cover them like algae during the day and then come out at night to eat and play with each other.
Most swordtails swim or rest at the bottom of the tank at night.
Swordtails are known to do this in groups to protect themselves from predators. As a result, you’ll want to choose a soft substrate that won’t hurt swordtails when they’re at the bottom.
Where Do Swordtail Fish Swim In The Tank During Day?
Swordtail fish swim in the middle of an aquarium during the day to investigate the tank and its inhabitants. As a result, your swordtail fish will appreciate a somewhat strong water movement that will assist them in swimming.
Swordtails are fast-moving fish with a lot of energy. As a result, you should check to see if rocks and other things provide enough exploration area, as they require it for their mental and physical well-being.
Things That Influence Where Swordtail Fish Swim In The Tank
Swordtail fish are capable of swimming in any section of the aquarium. However, some circumstances influence whether they stay on top or fall to the bottom. These are the following:
Availability of Food
When swordtail fish are hungry, they usually swim to the top because there is food there. This causes them to swim towards the light, making it easier for fish farmers to feed them and track their food.
The Total Number of Swordtails
In a ten-gallon tank, one or two swordtails are fine. On the other hand, more than eight fish will make hiding and swimming at the bottom of the tank impossible. Furthermore, too many fish will pollute the water more quickly, necessitating more regular cleaning.
Aquarium Size
When there isn’t enough room, swordtail fish will stay at the top. However, their activity level will increase in a large aquarium, causing them to swim quickly throughout the tank.
Swordtails find it challenging to gather food or build shelters in large numbers when there is a lack of room. Therefore they prefer to hide under rocks or inside caves in the earth.
Water Temperature
Swordtail fish prefer water temperatures of 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when the aquarium temperature falls below this range or rises above it, they will stay at the bottom or top to keep warm or cool down, accordingly. This is due to swordtails’ inability to adjust to changes in their environment quickly.
Oxygenation
When the water parameters are not met and the tank lacks enough oxygen, swordtails tend to come to the surface to gasp for air.
Thus, if you see your swordtails hanging out at the surface, it’s probably because filtration and oxygenation in your tank were compromised. We advise you to check the tank conditions ASAP to ease your swordtails.
Swordtail Fish Tank Requirement
Appropriate water parameters are one of the most crucial tank requirements for any fish. The following are the water parameters that swordtail fish prefer:
the pH of the water can range from 0 to 8.4
The hardness of water: 10-15 DH
The temperature of the water: 65-80°F
Other requirements include thick vegetation and hiding locations. You should use Java moss, ferns, and other broad live aquatic plants to fill your tank. You can also add driftwood, shells, and caverns to give them a secure haven.
When it comes to the substrate, you don’t have to be concerned. Swordtails prefer to swim in the middle of the tank, rarely touching the substrate. Despite this, their natural substrate is sand. You can add sand or small gravels.
Another crucial element to consider is the tank’s size. Swordtails enjoy swimming, so a single swordtail needs a 15-gallon tank. In addition, you should keep swordtails in a 1:3 ratio. Thus you’ll need a tank with a capacity of around 30 gallons.
FAQs
Why Is My Swordtail Staying At The Top Of The Tank?
If your swordtails have been hovering at the top for some time, there could be an underlying problem.
Swordtails are a sort of fish that prefers to swim in the tank’s middle or upper reaches. If your swordtail is floating or staying at the top, it is unhealthy and requires medical attention right away. Swordtails remain at the top because they are worried or sick due to poor tank conditions, infections, or pregnancy, not because they enjoy it!
Why Is My Swordtail Lying At The Bottom Of The Tank?
Your swordtail could be near the bottom of the tank for a variety of reasons. One explanation for this is that they could be pregnant or giving birth to live fry, both of which can cause them to lay on their side.
It’s also possible that they’re stressed, which would explain their lying down stance. Some of them may lay at the bottom of their tank if they are under too much stress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the swordtail fish prefers to swim in the middle of the tank. They can, however, swim to either end. It’s their decision!
Your primary goal should be to ensure that you have enough space for all of your fish and that each one has enough space to swim freely.
