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January 10th, 2008
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Fish Bum
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PREVENTING Breeding
This is my first post here, I've been lurking for a few weeks and must say this site is great!! I am a noobie to caring for aquaria (always had one as a child, but Dad did all of the care). I did the research, cycled the tank, and added a single male betta. I would like to add swordtails next. I only have a 10g tank, and have no space for offspring. I have seen that a 1 male to 2 females is the proper ratio for swordtails. Other than separating the sexes, is there a way to prevent breeding? If not, is allowing the fry to be eaten considered "cruel" or is it more like "varying the diet"?
Thanks in advance for the help on this issue, and thanks for all of the help that I found here already!!!
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January 10th, 2008
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Galactic Overlord
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Welcome!!!
I personally have no issues with keeping a betta in with swordtails as fry control.
Even seperating the sexes will not insure no births, as sword females can store sperm for at least 6 months, after she has been around a male.
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January 11th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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Welcome to FishLore. 
I wouldn't really recommend a Betta with livebearers since Bettas make poor community fish. Also 3 swordtails are about 15" (adult size) and you would want a 15-20g for them. For fry control, you could get 3 males. |
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January 11th, 2008
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Fish Bum
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Thanks for the replies. I do not want to overstock this tank. It is in my office at work, so I should not be devoting a large amount of time to it if I am supposed to be working. A normal amount of maintenance I can get away with, since I don't usually take breaks during the day.
ANYWAY, would it be better to get just one male swordtail, or do you think that he and the betta would clash? My thought about getting the 1 male/2female combo of swordtails was really to give the swordtails their own "school" in hopes that they would occupy each other, and that the "strength in numbers" theory would help keep the betta at bay? I am really a saltwater wannabe (I love the bright "flashy" colors of SW fish), I just don't have the time, experience or money to do SW. The swordtails and bettas seem to be the closest thing in appearance and color to SW fish that are recommended for beginners. I would love to have a discus tank, but I want to get some experience (and a second job) before I go trying to keep $50-$100 fish alive.
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January 11th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Quote:
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I wouldn't really recommend a Betta with livebearers
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Right. Male swordtails can be quite large and aggressive, plus as stated, 10 gallons is not nearly big enough for swordtails. Also, bettas get bloated and constipated very easily, and uncontrolled eating of a bunch of fry would be detrimental to the betta. It just isn't a good situation.
You could leave the betta in the 10 alone, but you'll need a bigger tank for the others. |
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January 12th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Actually I haven't experienced swords to be prolific breeders. THe only fry I 've been able to get are pregnant females that I bought pregnant. What you could do, swords grow very slow and by the time they get to a good size the parents will probably be dead already, so you can keep them. Also, the fry aren't very hardy, so it will be lucky if you get any to survive.
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April 23rd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swords3711
Actually I haven't experienced swords to be prolific breeders. THe only fry I 've been able to get are pregnant females that I bought pregnant. What you could do, swords grow very slow and by the time they get to a good size the parents will probably be dead already, so you can keep them. Also, the fry aren't very hardy, so it will be lucky if you get any to survive.
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sorry to say but you must be doing somthing wrong here. my swortails breed regularly and i found the fry to be very hardy and strong swimmers from birth. |
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