Swordtail Care and Breeding Guide

Swordtails are some of my favorite fish. Let's talk about how to care for and breed them.
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[@FishTankBarn]

Want to see some more about swordtails. Check out this tour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZPWnGWkfbyHrac

[@pedroprospero6307]

Can I keep a only males aquarium? Because I do not want fry

[@FishTankBarn]

You can but they will definitely bicker a little bit

[@dave5862]

I have a pair in a plastic planted 10 gal tank. They bred and had some fry but before I could move the adults they were all eaten. My female appears ready to drop another group of fry! I want to relocate the male now and put the female in a drop box BUT I CAN'T NET EITHER OF THEM. Can someone please tell me how to catch these very fast fish?

[@FishTankBarn]

I would try 2 nets and maybe net them are the time when you are feeding them

[@salvolondon]

Chichlids need opposite water parameters than swordtails actually

[@FishTankBarn]

I have cichlids and swords in the same water for 6 years now with now issues

[@superbhiel]

This video is actually an, Aquarium Coop sponsored video. 😍

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks walk the ramp. I am brand ambassador for the CoOp not sponsored but they do support the channel

[@hotniaoniao]

Thank you for an informative and no nonsense video on these really neat fish. I treat my swordtails to blanched (boiled with garlic powder) spinach and they absolutely love it. I've also noticed they don't like to share that spinach with their tank mates.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks Greg! Great suggestion on the food. I need to do more vegetables.

[@brianjeffries207]

I have a 75 gallon community tank with tetras (Congo and Cardinal), Cory's and two Angelfish. I would love to add swordtails to this tank. What would be a good one to add that stays a little smaller and is on the calmer side. I really learn a lot from your videos. Thanks for providing them.

[@FishTankBarn]

I honestly would do a domestic strain that you like, the ones that I have had seem to be pretty chill. Some of the wild ones have a little more attitude

[@MrPaulmilk]

Thanks for the video 👍

[@FishTankBarn]

Your welcome Gerard!

[@sanieekawkiiayya2460]

I got into fish keeping was the reason of NORMAL WILD MOLLYS

[@FishTankBarn]

Nice Sani!

[@SandyDoughty]

Great video! Very informative! Thanks

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks Sandy! I am glad that you found it helpful!

[@Everything-dr1wb]

Thank you for sharing this video 🙂👍

[@FishTankBarn]

Your welcome, glad that you enjoyed it!

[@brianjarman5750]

How.long.does.it.take.for.swordtails.to.grow

[@FishTankBarn]

I would say about 6 months, depending on temperature. The hotter they are the faster they will grow. However, at higher temps their lifespan will be shorter

[@PlainsPup]

While it’s true that hybridizing different species should generally be avoided, crossing different strains within the same species is often a great idea, as it allows you to avoid inbreeding depression. Pure-breeding is inbreeding.

[@FishTankBarn]

Depends. If you have endangered location specific fish, it’s highly discouraged to mix locations and strains

[@PlainsPup]

@FishTankBarn Yes, for conservation purposes, that’s true. But in general, pure-breeding pets weakens them due to inbreeding, and outcrossing pets strengthens them by contributing to genetic diversity. The genetic health of the parents matters, too, and I’m not necessarily advocating interspecific hybridization, either. However, the benefits of outcrossing are undeniable. I’m far less concerned about the phenotypic traits of a breed or variety, than I am about the health of the animals.

[@tonyyero7231]

Excellent info.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks Tony!

[@prabhacar]

You are good narrator. thank you!

[@FishTankBarn]

Thank you very much for the kind words. Glad that you enjoyed the video

[@WOW_AQUATICS]

Your channel has become one of my favorites. I enjoy all the information and the excitement about keeping almost extinct species.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thank Wow Aquatics. I appreciate the support

[@maricelarivera-garrison8660]

What do i do if i accidentally keep 4 swordtails in my 20 high tank, I feel a bit stupid now because i had NO idea they got that big.

[@FishTankBarn]

You probably would be ok with just 4. You might want to move a larger group to a bigger tank

[@maricelarivera-garrison8660]

@@FishTankBarn like what size would you say? 35 gallon?

[@FishTankBarn]

@@maricelarivera-garrison8660 I would say 29 or 40 breeder depending on how big your group is

[@sahishnusahishnu7940]

Is swordtail eats it's fry?

[@FishTankBarn]

Some do and some don't depends on the species

[@dakutaiga7970]

Swordtails also got me into the hobby

[@FishTankBarn]

That "sword" tail is a big draw for sure.

[@miked2888]

On January 9, 2022, we purchased Swordtails--2-females/1-male, at Aquarium Co-op (awesome place !!) The male died six days later. But, in February, I discovered a batch of fry. A week later, another batch. Each month since, there have been more fry born. It is now the end of May, and we have at least 30-40 young Swordtails at various stages (the most recent batch born last week.) As I understand it, a female can give birth 8-9 times from just one fertilization. They can give birth approximately every 28-days. We have just let nature take it's course in the tank. However, although it is amazing seeing all of these little beauties in the tank, I am concerned for their health. The tank is a planted 55-gallon. So far, all of the parameters are stable. But, as these youngsters mature, 55-gallons can't possibly be large enough to house all them, especially at this rate. In the past, I've adopted out kittens, puppies, sheep, and chickens, but never fish !! I am hoping for a bit of guidance, if possible.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks for the comment Mike D. Livebearer female can hold sperm from a male for a lifetime. The best avenue that I have found for adopting out fish is by joining your the local fish club. There is pretty good on in the Seattle area called the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society. Most clubs will allow you to auction fish at their monthly meetings and hold annual or bi-annual auction. You could adopt your fry out that way and even make a little bit of money in return.

[@miked2888]

@@FishTankBarn Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate it, and will look into your suggestion.

[@sahiljamil4421]

I kept them with guppies and guess what Now I have guppies size hybrids

[@FishTankBarn]

Sahil. Since the swordtails and guppies are of a different genus it is highly unlikely that you have swordtail and guppy hybrids. I am going to imagine that you a genetic morph in our guppies that presented a sword or lyre tail. There are guppy strains that present a sword tail gene but are still genetically all guppies.

[@billwitt1713]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@FishTankBarn]

Your welcome Bill!

[@2ssrs950]

Very nicely done this video was so helpful I'm setting up a 55gallon in the next few day gonna be fully planted with driftwood I seen these fish at the store and feel in love with them there so beautiful. I'm buying them all after watching this video

[@FishTankBarn]

Nice 2SS/RS!

[@dakutaiga7970]

Sadly my male swordtail died but I bought a new swordtail to try and carry on breeding hopefully it works and I think it might be pregnant 🤞🏻

[@FishTankBarn]

Ollie usually livebearers Will remaining “hit” for some time. You will still have a chance at some fry even if your male passes

[@bettaaquatiks2604]

Excellent Advice Sir. Thank You For Sharing. Is there a way to communicate via facebook or email? Would like to learn more on color genetics etc.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks Betta Aquatiks .... The color and genetics are something to research more myself. I would maybe try going to the American Livebearer Assoication convention in July if you are in the United States.

[@josephborg2124]

I have some Swordtails and i had them for a while but I don't see babies what am I doing wrong ?

[@FishTankBarn]

They could eating them or maybe not ready to breed yet. Patience is key when it comes to breeding any fish.

[@hypercelis01]

My swordtails are not eating their babies. They just ignore them so when feeding time the babies can freely swim.

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks hypercells! Not all of them eat babies. It depends on the species and the individual fish.

[@Angel-cp3zo]

Where is the clownfish breeding that’s why I’m her !

[@FishTankBarn]

They are still here. I will show them from time to time.

[@sashanealand8315]

the green swordtail lives in the river in Hawaii

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks Sasha! I would imagine they aren’t supposed to be there.

[@g1life270]

Like the video so I subscribe

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks G1

[@justice4589]

Thanks for this vid. I just got 2 swordtails 1 male and 1 female. I’m planning to get more but for now I’m just studying them so I can be better at taking care of them

[@FishTankBarn]

Your welcome cloudjumper. Happy to see that you are doing research and studying you fish.

[@omegakrazii]

I love your swords do you sell and ship fish ?

[@FishTankBarn]

Unfortunately. I only sell at local auctions and conventions.

[@omegakrazii]

@@FishTankBarn bummer you have a killer selection I have never seen some of these colors before hopefully they will come to my area keep the guides and tips on these guys coming thanks a ton

[@davidsantana7131]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@FishTankBarn]

Thanks David!

[@theodecy4748]

i got the orange/black fin swordtail, is it common for them to produce a different colour after breeding? my female popped a astonishing 70+ babies and they are about 3 months old and I've noticed 7 of them are silver.... are they known for it

[@FishTankBarn]

Depending on the quality of the strain some of them can produce better than others

[@drockingfish]

our petsmart n pet co do not even carry Swordtails no more! ugggh I only go there for their tank sales!

[@FishTankBarn]

I had someone ask me about swordtails as well. Apparently they aren't around right now.

[@dakutaiga7970]

I would definitely not keep them with guppies

[@FishTankBarn]

Agreed Ollie