swordtail fry! help?

dani_kat · 03-17-2009, 05:35 AM

ok. my pineapple swordtail had her fry today! i have about 60 fry in a plastic breeder, but i plan to put them in something bigger soon, until they get big enough to go back into the "big tank". i've had a lot of luck with guppies before, but only had i hatch of swortail fry before, and only 2 were born. they both survived, but that was about two years ago. this is the first big batch of swordtails i've had! i noticed that some of them were hiding in the floating plants i put in the breeder, but a lot of them are just laying around on the bottom. is this normal? any help or advice is welcome! catch me here or on windows live messenger the_penguin_did_it@yahoo.com or email me at the same address. thanks!

BlueStraggler · 03-17-2009, 08:58 AM

I think its normal for them to hang around on the bottom out of instinct. You had guppy fry before? They probaly did the same thing.

Congrats on the fry : )

I doubt you'll raise all 60 or am I wrong?

dani_kat · 03-17-2009, 01:05 PM

i dunno! i think i'd like to try. have a 29 gallon community tank.1 pleco, 2swordtails, i molly, 4 glolite tetras, 1 harlequin rasbora. i think i'd like to keep a few swordtails. i also have a 20 gallon tank housing my oregon newt. whatever i decide not to keep, i'll probablydonate to my dad or the pet shop.

Kissyboots · 03-17-2009, 01:18 PM

First thing to donate: the pleco. Just a heads up, that thing can get over 12 inches long and is a mega poop machine.

Congrats on your fry! They're not that hard to raise; I have successfully raised three of them. If you have 60, you should definitly put them in a tank of their own asap. You can feed them Hikari first bites (that worked for me) and crushed flakes when they get bigger. As soon as they don't fit in a bigger fish's mouth, they are ready to go in with your other fish. Good luck and welcome to the tank!

dani_kat · 03-19-2009, 03:11 AM

well, the babies have their own tank now, and are doing well so far!

BlueStraggler · 03-19-2009, 10:28 AM

GREAT! Thanks for the update.

Hope everything continues to go well for you and the fry.

03-17-2009, 05:35 AM	#1
dani_kat Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	swordtail fry! help? ok. my pineapple swordtail had her fry today! i have about 60 fry in a plastic breeder, but i plan to put them in something bigger soon, until they get big enough to go back into the "big tank". i've had a lot of luck with guppies before, but only had i hatch of swortail fry before, and only 2 were born. they both survived, but that was about two years ago. this is the first big batch of swordtails i've had! i noticed that some of them were hiding in the floating plants i put in the breeder, but a lot of them are just laying around on the bottom. is this normal? any help or advice is welcome! catch me here or on windows live messenger the_penguin_did_it@yahoo.com or email me at the same address. thanks!

03-17-2009, 08:58 AM	#2
BlueStraggler Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 305	I think its normal for them to hang around on the bottom out of instinct. You had guppy fry before? They probaly did the same thing. Congrats on the fry : ) I doubt you'll raise all 60 or am I wrong? __________________ http://www.myfishtank.net/photopost/...0/ppuser/13327

03-17-2009, 01:18 PM	#4
Kissyboots Super Fish Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,865	First thing to donate: the pleco. Just a heads up, that thing can get over 12 inches long and is a mega poop machine. Congrats on your fry! They're not that hard to raise; I have successfully raised three of them. If you have 60, you should definitly put them in a tank of their own asap. You can feed them Hikari first bites (that worked for me) and crushed flakes when they get bigger. As soon as they don't fit in a bigger fish's mouth, they are ready to go in with your other fish. Good luck and welcome to the tank! __________________ Kissy's Tank

03-19-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
BlueStraggler Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 305	GREAT! Thanks for the update. Hope everything continues to go well for you and the fry. __________________ http://www.myfishtank.net/photopost/...0/ppuser/13327

03-17-2009, 01:05 PM	#3
dani_kat Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	i dunno! i think i'd like to try. have a 29 gallon community tank.1 pleco, 2swordtails, i molly, 4 glolite tetras, 1 harlequin rasbora. i think i'd like to keep a few swordtails. i also have a 20 gallon tank housing my oregon newt. whatever i decide not to keep, i'll probablydonate to my dad or the pet shop.

03-19-2009, 03:11 AM	#5
dani_kat Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	well, the babies have their own tank now, and are doing well so far!