My Pregnant Swordtail Died!

[fee de mer]

I had had my swordtail for about a month and she was showing all the signs that she was going to give birth so i moved her to a breeding net, the next morning she was dead What did I do?

 

[Cazgar]

Hard to tell exactly, but it could've been the stress of the move, or complications giving birth.
Sorry you lost her

 

[Dieses Madchen]

breeder nets can cause stress to the fish, and in some cases, pregnancy complications that can result in death. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[fee de mer]

Is there anyway of catching the fry after birth and putting them in the trap, so the mother is free? For any future pregnancies obviously.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

yes, that is actually was is usually recommended. Or you could plant the tank up with a lot of plants and java moss, put down some flat slate piece just big enough for fry to get under, and hope for the best. I have done both methods and had survivors.

 

[fee de mer]

Okay, thanks for your help

 

[Cazgar]

As Dieses said, you will have survivors that way, & hopefully won't get overstocked too quickly.
I currently have about 5 platy fry from the last drop, & my bumblebee dropped yesterday & I've seen at least 6 of those.
They're all in my main tank with the adults
Luckily my Lfs will take them once they're big enough

 

[fee de mer]

Yeah, Ive had molly and guppy fry before but my bristlenose ate most of them!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

My bumblebee died today

 

[fee de mer]

Oh no thats awful! Was this the one that dropped?

 

[Cazgar]

Oh, that's sad, they're pretty little fish.
I only got them the other day, but already they're my favourite platy

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Oh no thats awful! Was this the one that dropped?

She has dropped for me in the past, and I have rehomed a bunch of healthy fry from her. She hasnt been pregnant in a while, so I am sure she died of old age. I did a water change of course, just in case.

Oh, that's sad, they're pretty little fish.
I only got them the other day, but already they're my favourite platy

I like panda platys myself, but the bumble was definately a bright unique little girl. I really liked her.

 

[fee de mer]

I am very sorry to hear about that, at least she wasn't sick.

 

[OldMan47]

For swordtails, a floating cover like water lettuce or even duckweed helps more than bottom plantings. Swordtail fry go straight to the surface when they are born.

 

[fee de mer]

Thank you very much I shall try that as there is bound to be another pregnancy!