Black Skirt Tetras Question

[logansmommy41306]

I got 2 black skirt tetras from the LFS today (she sold them to me as tiger barbs though) My question is how do I tell if they are male or female? If they are pregnant (the swordtails I bought a few weeks ago gave birth the other day)?
If you have any other info feel free to share.

Thank You
Leslie

 

[nano]

"Female black widows are generally larger than the males and have a rounder body. In the female the anal fin runs parallel with the vertical black stripe in her abdomen.
Males are smaller, have a broader anal fin, and a narrower more pointed dorsal fin. Males occasionally have white spots on the caudal fin" -about.com freshwater aquariums

hope that helps


and i suggest keeping the black skirts in a groups of 4-5 as they are schooling fish. Also from my experience the males will generally tend to find a territory for itself, if not in a school.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah keeping them in a larger group is better. Like a lot of Tetras they can be a bit nippy with long finned fish so keep a watch on your swordtails tails.

 

[scooterchick]

Agreed, they're nippy wee gets! I had 2 and took them back to the LFS (in my defence I rescused them both), they gave my angel fish a terrible time. If you have room, get another 4 for them to school with, they'll be much happier. If you don't have space, take them back, they'll be much happier and so will the rest of your fish!

 

[nano]

i can see in ur sig that its a 75 gallon.
Just keep it well planted with bogwood rocks etc. and nipping shouldn't occur.

Like i said if not kept in a school nipping generally tends to happen (although in a 75 gallon i doubt it will)
If kept in a school of lets say 5 you will actually see them interacting with each other, and being active fish you will really enjoy a school.

if kept in a school (i believe u have room for it since u have a 75'er with 4 swordtails and 2 tetras) they will be much happier, you will be much happier, and the swordtails will be much happier.
I really advise you adding another 3 skirts

 

[logansmommy41306]

Thank you for your replies. Yes my tank is a 75 gallon. So far the 2 black skirt ignore each other and everything else. I hope they'll do Ok together until friday when I can go get some more of them. I am still not sure if they are males or females. Both of them have the same fins so I am thinking they are both the same sex, just not sure which.

I am pretty new to the fish tank thing. I have had it running for about a month now. But I LOVE it LOL.

Thank You again for your replies and Help

 

[nano]

if u want us to ID them just post pics.
im guessing if they both r ignoring each other, they both might be males.

anyways good luck, and good choice getting more

 

[logansmommy41306]

Here is a Picture of one of them. Thank You again

 

[nano]

hard to see, but looks like a male

 

[logansmommy41306]

Well earlier today the tetras attacked one of my swordtails (one that I bought the same day as the tetras) The swordtail ended up dying. I am calling the LFS tomorrow morning to see if I can exchange them for more swordtails since they are all the same price. For tonight I put the Tetras in the fry net. I hope my LFS will let me exchange them.

 

[nano]

hey,
if the LFS doesnt let you replace them, then i suggest adding more skirts, that way the agreesion will reduce.

 

[logansmommy41306]

They let me exchange them but she wasnt to happy about it. When I called she tried telling me that the tank is labeled to buy in groups of 6 or more. (which it wasnt) even once I got there it still wasnt labeled that. It was labeled "community". So I proved her wrong LOL. After that she decided to be a little nicer

 

[scooterchick]

Sorry about your swordtail, glad you got the tetras exchanged.

Black Widow - Skinhead of the fish world.