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Well this morning my first batch (that i am aware of - long story) of swordtails arrived. They ALL appear to be doing great with no losses yet. My wife did not believe me that she was going to deliver but i saw the silver around their eyes and just knew that she would pop soon. (also the darkening towards the anal fin was a good indicator) And lately i have been sleeping very well but this morning i woke up at 4am to view the first one being born, They are currently in one of the breeding traps with the v thingy that separates the mommy from them.

My concern is the mommy, i love the babies and all that but i would hate to lose the mom. I noted that she has not been eating much lately but chalked that up to her nearing delivery. I know she just delivered but i am concerned that she just wants to lay on her side and will not touch food. She does not seem to have difficulty breathing but had a small patch of fungus near her mouth yesterday. So i started the tank treatment of Maracyn II yesterday. Should i keep up this treatment since i already started it? I tried letting her out of the tank but all she did was sink to the bottom and lay on her side. I noticed before that my other female swordtail did the hiding thing for a few days after birth (that would be the long story part about babies poofing) and she is fine now but did not have any sickness to make it worse.

Currently i plan to the let the mom out of the breeding tank and just let nature take it's course and continue treating the tank with maracyn II. The babies will remain in the breeding container in the original tank until i can get my other tank ready for them. (10 gallon that needs a filter and heater - friday probably)

Any advice on fry keeping and my situation would be appreciated.

Last edited by shadows at 27-Sep-2005 12:55

Well, as with all things, plans change. I called the people that make the maracyn ii and they said it was not tested with fry but it "should not" harm them. Well erring on the safe side i took the babies out and put them in a small fish bowl i had around. Placed the mom back in the the main tank where she appears to be doing much better and continued the tank doses i began. i took one of my extra tubes out of the main tank and placed it inside the bowl with the fry along with a thermometer and placed the whole apparatus on top of the main tank where the hood/light is. The funny thing about this is that it maintains a constant temperature there so i am good for a heater too.

All the fry are VERY active, darting around here and there and as my best count yet i have 20+.