My Swordtails

[mike777]

Hello everyone,

One of my new swordtails is eating my algae. Do they usually do this? And another question about algae. The algae in my tank is brown but it appears to be alive because it is spreading quite quickly, is this really alive or is it appearing then dying very shortly after it appears? because I haven't seen any green algae in my tank it is just brown.

I've also heard that if you have all male swordtails they may nip and fight each other is this true? And one last question I have 3 zebra danios, 2 dwarf gouramis, 2 rainbowfish, 3 cories and 3 swordtails can I add a few more fish to my 20 gallon tank? and if so what kind?

Thanks!

 

[ryan]

yes swordtails hav been known to eat algae and will od it readily in some cases. the brown algae is a completely different variety to the green and in my experience grows alot faster

 

[snotirl]

Ye my swordtails seem to do that all the time they love it!

 

[AquaNut]

Hey mike777

As has been mentioned already, it's perfectly normal for swords to nibble at algae; all livebearers enjoy some plant matter in their diet. Also as already mentioned, brown algae is different from green algae and yours is indeed growing. Often an increase in lighting will take care of brown algae.

As far as your stocking levels go, that depends a whole lot on your tank maintenance practices, as well as your filtration. I wouldn't suggest that you have a lot of room to play with, but you could probably add another 3 danios to keep your 3 company (they really do prefer to be in a school larger than 3), and could probably also add a few more cories. With cories on the bottom most of the time, gouramis on the top, and danios in the middle, it sounds like you have a nicely balanced community.

 

[mike777]

Yeah it looks real nice when I wake up in the morning because they're all at different levels. Except my danios are usually at the top and my gouramis are near the middle, and they sometimes go near the top. (because they are labryinth fish)

And yes that is exactly what I was thinking of getting I knew I needed at least one more danio and I like them anyway. (so zippy lol!) But I was thinking of getting maybe only one or two more cories then maybe 2 guppies or something? If guppies wouldn't do, I'm open to anything else that would look nice in there.

 

[AquaNut]

Hard call, mike. Some swordtails are definitely too nippy to be kept successfully with guppies, and others are gentle as lambs. If you wanted to add more colour, you could probably put a couple of platies in; they should get along well with your other fish without providing the lure of the guppy tail.

 

[mike777]

Ok that sounds great aquanut I love platies anyway! my tank won't be overcrowded will it?

 

[Moe]

If there are no live plants in your tank I'd consider adding an apple snail. They do a great job with the brown algae.