Contents
The swordtails represent the genus “Ray-finned fish”, the family “Peciliaceae” and the order “Kypitooths”. Many species of this interesting fish are known to both foreign and domestic aquarists. The fact is that we will talk about aquarium fish, or rather about one of their species.
Description, appearance
To our time, more than twenty swordtail hybrids are known, which differ from each other both in body color and in the size of the fins. The body of the fish has a flattened shape and is characterized as dense and somewhat elongated. The female is somewhat larger than the males. At the same time, the female grows in length up to a maximum of 15 cm, and the male – no more than 12 cm. Both in natural individuals and in hybrids, one, but rather wide strip, of a purple hue, with a pinkish edging, runs along the body. In addition to a wide stripe, you can see several more narrower stripes of a reddish hue. The mouth area is located in such a way that it is convenient for the fish to collect food from the surface of the water. In other words, her mouth looks up.
Interesting fact! Swordtails kept in aquariums have very noticeable differences from individuals living in the natural environment and, first of all, in brightness and variety of colors.
The fish got its name due to the fact that in this fish the lower part of the caudal fin has a noticeable, sharp elongation in the form of a “sword”. Individuals living in natural conditions are distinguished by yellow, red, green or orange hues.
Females have a paler and more inconspicuous coloration, both on the body and on the fins. Aquarium varieties of swordtails have brighter colors, as well as more numerous ones, so you can find white, red, lemon, orange, brownish, black, and also in calico tones of fish. In addition, aquarium swordtails can have different fin shapes.
Habitat
The homeland of aquarium swordtails is the territory of Central America, where representatives of this species live in various water bodies of countries such as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, etc. At the same time, fish live both in reservoirs with stagnant water and in reservoirs with running water, as well as in small ponds and artificially created reservoirs, canals, etc.
Somewhere at the end of the 19th century, this fish was brought to Europe, where it quickly turned into a sought-after aquarium pet. After some time, this bright and unusual fish was brought to our territory. Today it is known that swordtails have firmly established themselves as one of the most popular and well-known to a wide range of amateurs, aquarium fish.
Aquarium fish swordsman, swordtails, breeding, keeping, growing fry.
Maintenance of swordsmen
Keeping fish such as swordtails in aquariums does not require much effort, since these fish are unpretentious to the conditions of detention. Therefore, even the most inexperienced aquarists can cope with such a task. But this does not mean at all that one should be completely irresponsible about this issue. It is necessary to choose and equip an aquarium correctly, choose a ration of food wisely and not settle fish near swordtails that can harm them or vice versa.
These are heat-loving fish, so it is necessary to maintain the water temperature at + 20-26 degrees, while keeping in mind that the lower threshold is at +15 degrees, although it is better not to bring the water to such a temperature. It is also necessary to take care of the hardness (8-25 pH) and acidity (7-8 pH) of the water.
Choosing an aquarium
Swordtails are not small fish, so you need an aquarium with a volume of at least 50 liters. Besides the fact that it should be voluminous, it should also be wide. Despite the fact that swordtails are considered unpretentious fish, water quality plays a very important role in ensuring their longevity.
Interesting fact! Swordtails are quite active fish, so the aquarium must be covered, otherwise they will jump out of it without much effort.
It is equally important to carry out aeration and filtration of water, while every week it is necessary to replace up to 25% of the volume with clean water, which will allow the fish to live in comfortable conditions, and the owner will not have to worry about their health. It is not necessary to change the water too often, since the swordtails are not demanding on the purity of the water and the level of oxygen in it.
The fish will feel more comfortable if there is a variety of vegetation in the aquarium, the presence of which brings living conditions closer to the natural environment. This fish does not need to form shelters for them. The main condition is enough space for their livelihoods.
Compatibility, behavior
Although swordtails are considered to be quite large aquarium fish, they are not aggressive and rather calm, and yet experienced aquarists do not recommend adding species that are smaller in size to swordtails. If you add fish of the same size and the same calm character to them, then you will not have to observe any conflicts.
It is also necessary to know that in fish with a calmer and more sedentary character, swordtails can bite off their fins. Therefore, the nature of the behavior of the fish should be approximately the same. Male swordtails can fight among themselves if there are no females or representatives of other fish species in the aquarium. These fish get along with platies, guppies and mollies, but in no case should cichlids, both South American and African, as well as astronotus and acaras, be added to them. In addition, the swordtails begin to have problems if representatives of the carp family, including koi, goldfish and small zebrafish, are added to them.
It is important to know! In the case of keeping swordtails in home aquariums, they acquire several individuals based on 3 females of one male.
Oddly enough, but many representatives of the carp family are predatory fish. Including goldfish. Therefore, they can attack even an adult, larger swordsman. It is not recommended to settle barbs, shrimps and snails, as well as quite small crustaceans, together with swordtails.
Guppy fish have almost the same disposition as swordtails and, like swordtails, give birth to viviparous fry, so their mortality rate is much lower.
Diet and diet
Swordtails are not picky in terms of food either, so they are considered omnivores. In addition, they are prone to overeating, while eating food of various origins with pleasure. They gather food in any layers of water, both on the surface and at the bottom.
It should also be borne in mind that adult swordtails need food of plant origin, in the form of granules or flakes with spirulina or special tablets consisting of algae. Fish also actively eat algae from the walls of the aquarium, ornamental plants and decor. It is desirable that the diet of swordtails include a balanced and varied diet.
Interesting to know! When buying dry food for feeding aquarium fish, you should definitely pay attention to the date of manufacture so that the product does not turn out to be expired. For the same purpose, it is not recommended to buy feed by weight.
As a rule, high-quality dry food for aquarium fish of various species is represented by ready-made dry diets. The foods produced by Tetra are considered the most optimal for aquarium fish. The products of this company are characterized by the fact that it offers individual diets for certain types of fish. In addition, the company produces a special type of food that enhances the color of the fish. You should also pay special attention to food with vitamin complexes for feeding fry.
Reproduction and offspring
Already at the age of six months, swordsmen are able to reproduce their offspring. In fact, breeding these fish is not a difficult task. The fertilization process takes place inside the females, and after a month and a half, fry are born. Therefore, swordtails belong to the species of viviparous fish.
Important fact! In conditions of good nutrition, as well as at a water temperature of + 26-27 degrees, swordtails are able to bear offspring at least every month.
Sword bearer. Maintenance, feeding, breeding, reproduction. Part 1
Breed diseases
Despite the fact that the swordtails are considered quite resistant to the external adverse environment, their health depends on such factors as ensuring normal conditions of detention, a normal diet, and normal water quality.
Swordtails, like any other aquarium fish, can get sick with any disease. As a rule, there are no special features in their treatment. If normal conditions of existence are provided, swordtails are able to live for about 5 years, which is considered the average life expectancy of such a category of fish as aquarium fish.
Owner feedback
As a rule, swordsmen owners note the mobile and playful disposition of this aquarium fish. At the same time, they note a variety of colors. They do not require any special conditions of keeping or nutrition. In addition, these fish do not cost a lot of money, so they are affordable for anyone who wants to have an aquarium with fish at home.
Interesting fact! If there are no males, then females can change their sex themselves, which is not available to males.
Many aquarists note the fact that swordtails calmly and without problems get along in the same territory with many other types of fish. It is also noted that they can breed year-round under certain conditions, which makes them especially popular.
In conclusion
Many families set up aquariums at home to watch how small and incredibly beautiful fish swim peacefully in the water column. It is not only pleasant, but also interesting. And how interesting it is for children! Not everyone can have a cat or a dog in the house, but installing an aquarium is the easiest and most accessible. Of course, just set up a glass container and pour water into it, which is not very attractive, although it is quite simple. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that fish will not live long in such water, since they need oxygen and food. Yes, and this aquarium in the apartment does not look very attractive, against the backdrop of modern furniture. Therefore, you will have to try and equip it properly, creating conditions close to natural. It will already be a work of art that will surely delight all family members. As a rule, the maintenance of an aquarium with fish is not a costly exercise, although costs are inevitable in any case.
Well, and most importantly, this is care, because without it it is also impossible. Everything that is left to chance, sooner or later, turns into nothing. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the water is always clean. Considering the fact that the temperature of the water is still high, food residues will always decompose, clogging the water and making it unsuitable for fish. Therefore, regular, although not frequent, replacement of at least a quarter of the volume is simply necessary. Naturally, children will rejoice most of all this miracle. Therefore, we can say that the aquarium will also serve as an object of education.