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I use to think i had one male and two female swords. I didn't bother checking if the females had a modified anal fin, as they had no swords but recently i realised the smaller of the two 'females' was developing a stump on the bottom of 'her' caudal fin. I realised then that she was a he, i saw the modified anal fin.

The two males are now chasing each other. Well really this new found male is chasing the small original male.

I was thinking getting two or three more female swordtails may be a good idea. The tank which they are in is 53 gallons, and i have room IMO for these extra fish. My filtration is heavy. So yeah, you think i should get some more females for these 'rancy' males?

-- Gomer

When you get swortails make sure that there anal fins are not pointed (if you are looking for females) because those are males. Sometimes it will help if there is a small gravid spot.

For your situation I would get another male and make sure you have 6 females. That sould slow the aggresion down. If you want you can also get other species besides the one.

three females, is much better idea...

Maintaining a 1 male to 2/3 females should help. The males are fighting for dominance over the females and with the increased ratio, they should 'even out' the aggression.

Mr - The tank in question is moderately stocked already, so i won't go with a total of nine Swordtails, but it does sound tempting.

I will pick up another three females when i get the chance to. Thanks for the advice guys.

-- Gomer

Gomer, Make sure they do not have Gonopodiums. "The male reproducing organ" This is a sure way to be certain you do not get more males. The pointed tail only helps to identify male swordtails, but what if it is a mix breed: like a Sword cross Platy. This might not have a pointed tail, so you might think it is a female. My lfs had a tank full of these mix breeds. I mentioned that they have the tank labeled Swordtails but they looked like male Platys, but with a longer body. They explain about the mix breed. Swordtails can breed with Platys, just like Guppys can breed with Enders.
Also getting more females is a good idea. But sometimes this doesn't work. Like I had a tank with only one male Swordtail in it, with heeps of other species. He was fine, then I put in I think it was a Paradise fish, and he wouldn't let up. Tail slapping it, the works. So I had a tank set up for aggressive fish, and I had to put him into that. And still he held his own in that tank. ] Good Luck.