Are you planning to get a new fish but are confused about which one to get? If yes, let me tell you that swordtail fish can be the best option. I have repeatedly said in previous articles that swordtails are easy to take care of, and they are. If you are new to fish keeping, swordtails are a great choice. But, it is crucial you properly know about the fish you are about to get. So, here’s what you need to know about swordtails before you get them.
You need to know that swordtails are called beginner fish because even an un-experienced keeper can easily maintain them. Moreover, they don’t lay eggs, multiply very quickly, and are easy to breed. They do not eat much and are very friendly and peaceful.
Male swordtails can sometimes portray aggressive behaviors or bully the weak as they are territorial. But it’s nothing you cannot handle. They can be significant in community tanks too.
This blog post focuses on beginners who are just getting into fishkeeping and will discuss the basics of keeping a swordtail fish healthy and happy.
Swordtail Fish Natural Habitat
Swordtails are typically found in North and Central America’s freshwater bodies, such as Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. They’d be surrounded by tropical running water, lush foliage, and rocks and garbage, of course.
Swordtails eat whatever they find and fits into their mouth. They live off of insect larvae, worms, dead fish, algae, etc. However, they aren’t picky and will accept a wide variety of food in the tank.
Swordtails Are Livebearers
Because these fish are live-bearing, all of the fry must be removed so that you do not jeopardize the mother’s health. They can, however, give birth again and again until they die, which is usually when they reach the age of one year or less.
Swordtail fish are called livebearers because live young are born to swordtail fish.
Swordtails Do Not Lay Eggs
We know that swordtails do not reproduce through eggs. Swordtail fry, on the other hand, develops inside the female’s body. Labor will commence after their growth is complete, and the fry will be expelled from her body.
The entire pregnancy process takes place in the body of your swordtail. Humans are the same way. But, on the other hand, Swordtail fish obtain their sustenance from the yolk, whereas we get it from the placenta.
To summarize, swordtail fish do not deposit eggs and instead give birth to fry.
Your swordtail fish will only deposit eggs during the following times:
- If the fry do not form properly
- If the eggs inside her body aren’t fertilized
Because a fry will not be born in such circumstances, removing such eggs from the tank is better.
Swordtails Are Easy To Take Care Of
Swordtails do not have many demands, so they are straightforward to take care of. They do not need much tank equipment, are not picky eaters, and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Hence, they are effortless to maintain and take care of.
Read: How To Take Care Of Swordtail Fish?
Swordtails Are Easy To Breed
When it comes to reproducing, livebearers may be the easiest fish to care for. This is one of the main reasons why breeding a swordtail is so simple.
If you have a male and a female swordtail in the same tank, they will undoubtedly reproduce without your intervention. They produce without the intervention of the proprietors.
Similarly, because they are minor species, you will not want a large tank for the couple, making your task much more manageable.
Female swordtails can also store sperm cells in their pouch and fertilize themselves. Because swordtails do not require external assistance to reproduce, it is simpler for both them and you.
Swordtails Are Extremely Hardy
Swordtails do not require too warm water for other freshwater fish species because they reside in tropical temperatures in their natural habitats. They’re also small, so we should know that swordtails do not require much space.
Because they dwell in tropical conditions in their natural habitats, swordtail fish adapt well to aquarium life. In addition, because swordtails prefer warm water, a typical home aquarium is ideal for them.
They’re hardy little creatures that make excellent beginner pets if you’re unsure what kind of animal would be best for you.
Swordtails Multiply Superfast
Due to their ease of reproduction, the swordtail population in an aquarium can grow exponentially quickly. Nonetheless, you must keep the tank size appropriate for your fish, or the fish population will outgrow control and produce difficulties.
Swordtails get along with other livebearers, and you can keep them in a variety of community aquariums. Nonetheless, because they are so active, you should keep them away from slow-moving or long-finned fish.
Swordtails Eat A Lot But Aren’t Picky
What they consume is determined by what you feed them and where they live, as they have different diets depending on the climate. If properly fed, swordtail fish will happily eat mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and pellets.
Swordtails Are Great Starter Fish
These small fish are ideal for new aquarists since they are easy to care for, affordable, and eat various foods.
Furthermore, they are novice fish since they can survive in various water conditions and temperatures, making them an excellent choice for someone who does not yet possess an aquarium but wishes to do so.
The swordtail is an excellent beginner’s livebearer because it requires no specific equipment to keep it healthy. As long as you give them a suitable environment, they are simple to reproduce and stay alive.
Swordtails are the aquarium’s “starter” fish. This is because they are easy to care for and eat a wide variety of meals.
Swordtails Are Social Fish
We know that swordtails are community fish. Hence, they get along with other fish of the same size and temperament. However, you should not keep them with any aggressive or fin-nipping fish that could hurt their fins because they are calm communal fish.
You can keep them together since if two or more females dwell in the same container, they will not fight for territory. There is no guarantee. However, that swordtail fish will not bully each other. As a result, make sure you notice and separate bullying conduct.
Male Swordtails Sometimes Come Off As Bullies
If you have a large number of male fish in your aquarium, they may battle and act aggressively toward their female counterparts. Males who are not in a group generally exhibit more feminine qualities. The alpha male swordtails often try to bully such weak males and even females.
Swordtails Eat Their Babies
They consume their babies, but only when there isn’t enough food in the aquarium or tank. This does not, however, imply that you should not feed these fish adequately. Instead, you should be aware that swordtail fish, like their own young, will begin to seek out other food sources.
Swordtails will devour their fry if there isn’t enough room in the tank (babies). This is why a few of these fish require at least 20 liters of water.
Swordtails Can Breed With Platies
When two types of livebearers mate, their offspring can reproduce as soon as they reach adulthood. This is why swordtails and platies frequently cross-breed to form new species, such as the platy swordtail fish.
They cannot cross-breed with other species of fish even if they manage to mate.
Swordtails Like Planted Tanks
Swordtails prefer densely populated tanks. These fish live in heavily wooded areas of fresh and marshy waters in the wild, where the plants provide enough coverage.
Tanks with a lot of plants can serve as an effective filtering mechanism. Plants can also be a helpful solution if your filter isn’t strong enough or if you don’t have one at all.
There Are Various Kinds Of Swordtails
Swordtail fish are popular because they are available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Swordtail fish come in 17 different varieties.
The smallest is roughly two inches long, while the largest can grow to be six inches long. Depending on how well you care for them and what kind of food you feed them, certain swordtails can grow to be rather large.
Are Swordtail Fish Prone To Diseases?
They are, after all, prone to Ich. This parasite can cause ick disease, which is highly contagious, by attacking the skin of fish. To avoid this, avoid purchasing sickly-looking swordtail fish, as they may already be sick. If your pet becomes infected with this disease, keep it in a separate tank and treat it with Ich medication.
Conclusion
Finally, these are a few of the things we should know before keeping swordtails. First, it is critical to understand the importance of maintaining swordtail fish in a planted aquarium. These fish, on the whole, get along with other kinds of fish. The most serious issue with these fish is their propensity for devouring babies. As a result, you should keep them in mind if you own them and wish to breed them.