Breeding Swordtails In My Tank - Thoughts?

[Nook29]

I currently have a tank going with 2 Rosy Barbs (1 male and 1 female), and 4 silver fish, with red tips to their fins, one without, which I'm assuming is female. If I could remember their name, I assure you I'd say it!

My question is, would swordtails get on OK here, and would any fry survive? I currently have 5 fake plants, a weird brown rock thing with a hole in the centre, a model ruin which is no good for hiding at all, and a castle which has a route through the middle and a hole that goes in the side and up out the top, which would be good for some to hide in.

The plants should provide some OK cover, unless a fish is determined of course.

The silver fish won't be a problem, it's the swordtails and barbs I'm thinking of most. I'll no doubt add in a couple of small cat fish at the same time, but they usually ignore fish and eat off the floor.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

The best cover for the fry is a ton of plants- preferablby live. Fry are seen as food bu most fish including sowrd parents, so cover is their best friend.

 

[Nook29]

Thanks. I'm thinking of adding some live plants, so that should hopefully provide them with some cover.

 

[Annastasia]

How many gallons is the tank?

If you do go ahead with the Swordtails, and you want more plants, get some floating ones. Those are the best for cover, especially if they are thick. Hornwort is a favorite amoung keepers.

 

[Nook29]

I'm not too sure of the gallons, but I think it's about 11.

 

[Annastasia]

That's pretty tight for Swordtails. I personally wouldn't put them in a tank that size. I'd bump your schools up, and then call it a day in there, myself. Or, perhaps, get another smaller fish. Do you want some kind of Livebearer?

 

[Nook29]

That's pretty tight for Swordtails. I personally wouldn't put them in a tank that size. I'd bump your schools up, and then call it a day in there, myself. Or, perhaps, get another smaller fish. Do you want some kind of Livebearer?

I'm not overly sure of the gallons, but 11 would seem about right.

I'd prefer livebearers to egg layers.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I would guess that this tank is probably not more than 60 cms (24 inches) long in that case. Not a lot for a highly active fish that can reach 4 inches. At least you could go for platies instead, as being smaller and more slow-moving. Though personally I would do as Annastasia suggests and up the schools of the current fish instead.

 

[Nook29]

I would guess that this tank is probably not more than 60 cms (24 inches) long in that case. Not a lot for a highly active fish that can reach 4 inches. At least you could go for platies instead, as being smaller and more slow-moving. Though personally I would do as Annastasia suggests and up the schools of the current fish instead.

I've kept Swordtails before and had no problems. Also kept Gouramis which are larger in size, perhaps slightly shorter, and also did very well in this tank.

Not degrading what you're saying, merely throwing in past experiences to the mix.

 

[vidiots]

I would guess that this tank is probably not more than 60 cms (24 inches) long in that case. Not a lot for a highly active fish that can reach 4 inches. At least you could go for platies instead, as being smaller and more slow-moving. Though personally I would do as Annastasia suggests and up the schools of the current fish instead.

I've kept Swordtails before and had no problems. Also kept Gouramis which are larger in size, perhaps slightly shorter, and also did very well in this tank.

Not degrading what you're saying, merely throwing in past experiences to the mix.

I beleive Anastasia's suggestion was based on the fact that they multiply so quickly. That size tank will easily house a few adults, but once they multiply they crowd it pretty quickly which if you've kept them before you know already.

 

[Nook29]

I would guess that this tank is probably not more than 60 cms (24 inches) long in that case. Not a lot for a highly active fish that can reach 4 inches. At least you could go for platies instead, as being smaller and more slow-moving. Though personally I would do as Annastasia suggests and up the schools of the current fish instead.

I've kept Swordtails before and had no problems. Also kept Gouramis which are larger in size, perhaps slightly shorter, and also did very well in this tank.

Not degrading what you're saying, merely throwing in past experiences to the mix.

I beleive Anastasia's suggestion was based on the fact that they multiply so quickly. That size tank will easily house a few adults, but once they multiply they crowd it pretty quickly which if you've kept them before you know already.

I don't expect many to survive, and if they do, I hope to get a new tank at some point to keep newer fish.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I beleive Anastasia's suggestion was based on the fact that they multiply so quickly. That size tank will easily house a few adults, but once they multiply they crowd it pretty quickly which if you've kept them before you know already.
[/quote]

Given what I have read from Annastasia in the past, I would imagine that she feels like me that a 24 inch (or less) tank, though enough for swordtails to survive in, is not going to give much scope for a fish that can grow to 4 inches and has a constant need for activity. It's like keeping a husky in a small bedsit, or a St Bernard in the cupboard under the stairs. If you admire these fish, you want them to have a good quality of life and be able to enjoy natural behaviour.

 

[Nook29]

I beleive Anastasia's suggestion was based on the fact that they multiply so quickly. That size tank will easily house a few adults, but once they multiply they crowd it pretty quickly which if you've kept them before you know already.

Given what I have read from Annastasia in the past, I would imagine that she feels like me that a 24 inch (or less) tank, though enough for swordtails to survive in, is not going to give much scope for a fish that can grow to 4 inches and has a constant need for activity. It's like keeping a husky in a small bedsit, or a St Bernard in the cupboard under the stairs. If you admire these fish, you want them to have a good quality of life and be able to enjoy natural behaviour.
[/quote]

I have taken all this on board, and seeing as I don't want to make any fish unhappy, I won't be going for swordtails, but instead a few Platy's.

 

[Annastasia]

Dwarfgourami knows me best. Yes, I thought that small of a tank wouldn't give them much room to play, or swim, and they are pretty active fish.

Nook - I'm glad to hear you went for Platies! They're better suited for the tank, and since they have more room, I'm sure they'll be energetic and playful for you.

 

[Nook29]

Thanks for all the help and whatnot. Should be getting some extra fish a week Saturday, so I'll let people know how stuff goes.

Any tips on getting them to breed? I'll come to the looking after the fry if it ever happens.