Downward Dog

So this morning, I notice I have what I think are 2 Swordtail babies! I have 1 lone F Swordtail which I've had since April 3rd. The only other livebearer I have in my tank is a F guppy. Could it be that my F STail gave birth since purchasing at my LFS These babies are tiny, like 1/8 of an inch! How old do you guess they are? I can't believe they've survived, I have been replacing my water almost daily except for the past few weeks....

I'm just sort of shocked I have babies! I don't really want babies since I only have a 10 gal tank & need some tetras to school w/my lone tetra -- think I can just post at my LFS that I have some to give away?

How could this happen? I just assume that fish have short gestations periods but I could be wrong!
~Lenore

TFA101

livebearers have a special talent, the females can store sperm in their bodies to fertilize the eggs whenever the need arises, hence your mysterious swordtail offspring. At that size, I would guess about maybe a couple of weeks old?

Most LFS will take them off your hands, but if they don't, make sure you have some potential homes for them to go to when they get older.

Downward Dog

Thanks for your response. Very helpful! :-)

About how big do they have to get before I can rehome them? They are very cute, but I just don't have a tank big enough to keep them.

Thanks!
~Lenore

TFA101

a little larger than bite sized. I would say about one 1(1/4) inches long.