Can Swordtail Fish Live Alone?
Swordtails can be found exploring the tank and interacting with other fish. But do you think they can live alone?
Swordtails can’t live alone in an aquarium for a long time, so they need the company of other fish. Otherwise, it will not only be lonely but also suffer from various issues.
In this article, we’ll discuss whether swordtail fish can live alone, the problems they face when kept alone, and the recommended tankmates for them.
Why Shouldn’t Swordtails Live Alone?
Swordtails should not be kept alone because they are social creatures that need the company of others to stay healthy.
When kept alone, swordtail may suffer from aggressiveness, stress, and loneliness, all of which can shorten their lifespan and sometimes lead to death.
So, it is best to keep them with other fish, particularly those that have a similar temperament. A group of swordtails will not only be happier but also live longer than those kept alone.
What Happens If Swordtail Live Alone?
1. Laziness
When a Swordtail is left alone for long periods, its mobility will be significantly restricted. The fish will become lethargic and uninterested.
Various sources might provide the stimulation your Swordtail requires. Tank companions are the most common source of this kind of stimulation.
Lights, noises, and toys are other methods to keep your Swordtail occupied. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that Swordtails require suitable tank mates to live a more enjoyable and longer life.
2. Diseases
To be healthy, all body organs must perform their tasks adequately.
When swordtails become bored and sluggish, their movement decreases substantially as compared to usual. Most of their bodily processes slow down as a result of this.
And in return, when their movement is reduced, their health starts to gradually deteriorate.
Also, when a Swordtail is neglected for extended periods, it develops a sickness response. It’s a mental state that makes the body more vulnerable to viruses and infections.
Many activities will keep your swordtail occupied. Nothing, however, can compare to the pleasure of having a tank buddy.
3. Anxiety
The lack of activity and the increased risk of illness put constant strain on your single Swordtail. The fish suspects something is wrong. This results in worry and tension over time.
A stressed fish may eat less, move less, and react more slowly to stimuli. If there’s no shade on the tank, Your anxious Swordtail might jump out of it entirely in severe circumstances.
4. Aggressiveness
This isn’t something you would see when Swordtail is alone. It only happens after you introduce new mates to the tank.
This is because living alone for a lengthy amount of time, along with all the accumulated tension, is an excellent recipe for aggressiveness. This might even occur to tankmates from the same species who are new together.
Fortunately, resolving this problem isn’t difficult. If you want to add new tankmates to your Swordtail, don’t do it right away.
This implies that you should set your new companions in a separate aquarium. However, the tank adjacent to the old one should be placed next to it so that your lonely Swordtail may view the new individuals.
After a week or two, you can place the new mates in the same aquarium. On day one, bullying is considered natural. However, by day two or three, everything should have stabilized.
Should Swordtails Live in Groups?
Keeping swordtail fish in groups is always preferable, since this will help reduce their stress levels and make them happier.
A group of swordtails will also be better equipped to defend themselves against predators.
When kept in groups, swordtails tend to be more active and playful. They will often swim and explore their surroundings more which in return will lead to a longer and healthier life.
The recommended group size for swordtails is 4-6 fish. This way, they will have enough tank mates to socialize with.
5 Benefits of Keeping Swordtails in a Group
When swordtails are kept in a group, they have the opportunity to socialize with one another. This is important for their mental and emotional well-being, as it helps them to stay active, curious, and less prone to diseases.
There are some essential benefits of keeping swordtails in a group:
1. They Will Be Active and Happy
When swordtails are kept in a group, they will be active and happy. This is because they will have other fish to interact with.
As they are sociable creatures, they will enjoy swimming around and exploring their tank with their buddies.
2. Less Prone to Diseases
When swordtails are kept in a group, they are less likely to get sick. This is because they move around more and their immune system is stronger.
3. Develop Better Coloration
When you keep swordtails with good company, these fishes will develop better coloration as well as longer fins due to healthy competition among swordtails.
4. Stress Relief
Swordtails are less stressed while they are in a group. This is because they will have other fish to interact with, and they will not be lonely.
5. Less Aggression
I know, you might think that more fish in the tank would lead to more aggression. However, when swordtails are kept in a group, they are less likely to be aggressive.
This is due to their nature of being social creatures. When they are in a group, they will be more focused on their tank mates and less on attacking other fish.
Best Tank Mates For Your Swordtail Fish
Swordtails are peaceful fish that can be kept with other freshwater fish.
They prefer to affiliate with other livebearers, such as platies, guppies, mollies, angelfish, and corydoras. They also match well with tetras and corydoras which are peaceful.
Last Words
Swordtails are beautiful fish that can brighten up any aquarium. They are easy to care for and make great tank mates for other peaceful fish.
If you are a beginner, it is better to start with a group of swordtails. This will allow you to get used to their behavior and figure out the best way to care for them.
We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to share your experience, please leave a comment below.
