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swordtail question

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Post by debnel 29/7/2012, 22:02

hi just wondering about my swordtails, 1 male, 1 female. or so i thought.
they were amongst the first fish i added to my tank about 3 months ago. bought them at a fair size, male was late developer but now has good size sword. and have had them quite a while now.
I thought i had a male and a female.
male developed a lovely black sword about 6-8wks ago, no sign of pregnancy but lots of dancing about and showing off to each other. very placid fish and not bothered by any of the others in the tank.
well the 'female' is now developing differntly despite being very large. her gonopodium is no longer a triangle shape. more pronged and her tail now has a point at the base. she/he must be at least 4 months as i have had her at least 3months. i bought her from a pet shop at a decent size, far bigger than my adult mollies.

am i being crazy? i have photos of her with a triangle anal fin but it is no longer that shape.
has anyone ever heard of this?
debnel
debnel

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Age : 49
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Post by debnel 30/7/2012, 09:31

well due to the level of agression against each other i have had to put the female/male into a net floater before they do some serious damage. my kids were getting very upset while watching them go full tilt at each other. most of my other fish were swimming to the opposite side ofthe tank to where the swordtails are.
will have to see if anywhere is willing to do me a swop for a proper female!
its a good size fish and lovely & heathly so i suppose it may be possible
debnel
debnel

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Post by Markeh91 30/7/2012, 15:47

depending on the age of them when you bought them the females are known to produce the sword on the tail to make her look male..
i have read that they grow the sword when they become infertile to stop the males harassing them

i have had the same happen to me with my old swordtails i think they are just finding the pecking order but it would be best to split them up or if you have the space adding some females could keep their minds occupied, they like to be at a 1:2 Male to Female ratio
Markeh91
Markeh91

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Post by bill2 31/7/2012, 02:09

Females actually change sex and it sounds like that has happened to your fish. I don't doubt that you bought a female. It just happens with swordtails.

bill2

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