Spawning Report: Xiphophorus hellerii, pineapple sword

Spawning Report:  Xiphophorus hellerii

Name:    John Satterlee

Scientific Name of Fish:  Xiphophorus hellerii

Hobby Name of Fish: Pineapple swordtail

Method of Reproduction:  Livebearer

Number and Gender Distribution of Parents:  4 male and 3 females

Origin of Parents:  Tank raised, from Keystone Clash auction

This livebearer is native to Northern and Central America

Approximate number of fry:  roughly 20 fry

Date of Hatch or Birth:  May 1 2024

Date of Free Swimming If Hatched:  N/A

Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days:  22 fry

Aquarium Conditions:

pH:  7.2

General Hardness:  150 ppm

Average Temperature (72-74 F)

Salinity:  none

Average Nitrate:  < 40 ppm

Aquarium Size:  20 gallon long

Water Source:  Rockville MD tap water with Seachem Safe

Water Changes:  80% once a month

Filtration System:  sponge filter

Additives:  ½ cup crushed coral

Décor:

Live Plants:  Multiple species of Cryptocoryne, Valisneria to keep nitrates down

Small flower pots, sponge mops, large ish rocks to provide hiding spots and break lines of sight

In same tank as a bristlenose pleco colony

Substrate:  bare bottom

Lighting Type and Timing:  Home Depot light, 12 hrs on/12 hrs off

Food Fed to Parents and How Often:  Tetra Color Tropical Flakes morning and evening.  Freshly hatched baby brine shrimp every other day. 

Food Fed to Fry and How Often:  Finely ground dry fry food (Aquarium Coop) morning and evening, freshly hatched baby brine shrimp every other day. 

Additional comments:  Fry were removed to their own tank May 1 2024 to grow out without parents in the tank.