what age can you tell the sex?

coffeebean · June 16th, 2009

at what age can you sex swordtails? Babies were born on April 16th

Butterfly · June 16th, 2009

You should be able to tell at about a month.
carol

coffeebean · June 16th, 2009

hmmm...they are all females then. i find that really odd.

fishypinoy · June 17th, 2009

Hello Coffeebean,

In my experience, it depends on what strain of swordtail you're referring to... you are right to find it odd that in 2 months they are all females... that's because it takes within 3 - 6 months, for most strains of swords to show gonopodium for males. younglings all will show female traits.

Butterfly · June 17th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishypinoy

Hello Coffeebean,

In my experience, it depends on what strain of swordtail you're referring to... you are right to find it odd that in 2 months they are all females... that's because it takes within 3 - 6 months, for most strains of swords to show gonopodium for males. younglings all will show female traits.

How interesting! Coffeebean keep us posted on how ours mature.
Carol

coffeebean · June 17th, 2009

interesting. thanks. what about the tail? when does that start to change for males?

fishypinoy · June 19th, 2009

Based on my experience, for males, the gonopodium will develop first before the sword. That goes for both normal and lyretail swordtails.

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