BigDaddy Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Ok i looked at my swordtail and her belly is twice the size as yesterday so im positive shes pregnant. I put her in a net breeder but other than this have no clue what to do what to feed the fry etc can someone help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmchick Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I bought some of that Liquid fry food. It comes in a wee squeezy bottle and will cost you about $5. Be warned though, I managed to kill ALL of my first batch of babies through overfeeding a too few water changes. I now have a tank full of baby mollies, swords and guppies (between 5mm and 1cm) that get fed finely crushed livebearer flake. I only feed mine the liquid stuff for about 5 days and then on to flake. Good luck. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Pregancy takes 4-6 weeks. Her belly should not grow double in size overnight. If thats the case I'd be more worried about bloat or constipation. Apparently feeding a small amount of cooked green pea can help the latter, not sure about bloat tho. Oh and I'd say she's definately pregnant, unless they grow up without a male insight, they're preggers lol! Female swords will drop like clockwork, I'm just not sure if your girl is ready to drop tomorrow as such. When she is ready to drop, she'll look like she is about to almost explode. Fry are very easy to care for, and they'll eat finely crushed flake from day one (altho I use that livebearer liquifry for the first few days). If you don't do anything at all, chances are over time you'll still have new Swords, they're strong lil' dudes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I got a batch of babies this morning. Mum has a nice hi fin so it should be interesting to see what they turn out like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaddy Posted September 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Ok im not sure whats going on but I woke up this morning and her belly is back to normal although I did notice that she did her buisness 4 times b4 i went to bed while she was in the net breeder so she may have been constipated I dont know just hard for me to imagine her belly getting that big from constipation.I know this much no fry in the breeder so either she was constipated or ate all the fry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Could be both but most likely constipated. When pregnant, they get fatter at a steady rate (like humans), they don't suddenly double in size overnight (although I am sure I did with my second ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 if I'm not mistaken swordtails also get a gravid spot when they are pregnant. I bought 6 various swords from the LFS and one appears to be pregnant, I think she has a gravid spot, but its growing at a slow rate so wont be dropping anytime soon. I was told at the LFS that small flake food would do for them, is that not right? I'm going to buy a net breeder and a couple sponge filters tonight and start seeding them for my small tank (currently empty) how long could the fry live in a 20l tank before going into the main tank? also some of the others appear to be constipated, should I just boil up some frozen peas and peel them or should I mush them up for the swords? Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 They do form a gravid spot. The fry will eat crushed flake. Many livebearers do not like being put in a breeding trap and will often abort of moved into one. They are better off in a small tank with lots of plants. As to when the fry go into the main tank - when they are big enough not to fit in the mouths of the other fish Peas are good for constipation. Cooked and with the shell removed. They will go mushy when put in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 all good things to know. so a breeding net is a general no-no for live bearers? guess I will pop the fry into the net if the tank isn't ready when she drops, ofcourse thats if they dont get eaten before I see them. what about using a divider so its just the mother and the fry in one part of the tank? still to stressfull? the lead male is starting to chase her a bit so kinda looking to isolate her closer to delivery. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 A divider is a good idea. It is just that a lot of fish seem to panic in the confines of a breeder, whether it be plastic or mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 ofcourse thats if they dont get eaten before I see them. Best thing to help this is some Java Moss or floating Indian Fern etc, a nice little area for babies to hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I keep Limnophila sessiliflora in my Nursery as a hiding place and have had very good look with fry counts to date. Err Guess should mention I keep the Nursery for Mollies, Platies and Swords. Currently has a spawn of 20ish + Molly fry about 2 weeks old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Took a snap couple mins ago as there were quite a few of the fry in one spot for a change they never seem to all stay in same area for a decent pic.. Larger Version Larger Version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 any advice for catching the pregnant one? I'm going to get a biggger net, see if that helps. if I leave th net sitting in the tank she goes up and plays with it, but as soo as it moves she goes to ground. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Use 2 nets. Be careful moving pregnant fish as they may abort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 yep thats what I did. I bought a bigger net, and followed her around with the smaller one till she swam straight in. so far no abortion, although she dosent seem too happy. I've put her in a breeding trap as she was beeing harrased by the largest male. How long can she be in here? till she delivers or no longer than a couple days? Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Depends on the fish. If she gets too stressed you will have to get her out. Perhaps you ought to put the male in there instead! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Sounds like a plan Caryl, I'm seeding a sponge filter for another tank, I was hoping I had more time for the fry, but I could alternate him and her in there till either she delivers or tank is ready. should I put some java moss in the trap or will it make the trap too confined? Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Moving her in and out would be too much stress. Try a bit of moss but I don't think it will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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