Bad pics.. beautiful swords

[jordonsmum]

Here are a few of my gals waiting to drop. Not the best pics, but some of the better that i've taken.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_5014.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_5004.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_4988.jpg
I know they're not show stock but I really love em:yes:

[jordonsmum]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_5035.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_5026.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t174/jordonsmum/100_5016.jpg

[Melody]

Show stock at this point is largely based on which breeders have won shows and what their fish look like. Extra wide, matching lyres, etc. There are no standard guidelines like there is with Guppies though. When you hear me refer to show stock when it comes to Swordtails, Mollies, etc, its stock I've obtained from an award-winning breeder. I was referred to the criteria loosely outlined by Dr. Joanne Norton, who is often referred to as 'The First Lady of Livebearers' when I asked about show standards, but even those are more objectives than anything.

Point being, while we can purchase from an award-winning breeder, there is no reason to think that a Lyre we find at the store level doesn't have show-winning potential. If they're beauties, they're beauties. I can't see their lyres in the pic's of most of them, but they look just fine to me.:yes:

[jordonsmum]

They haven't won any shows..lol hence the "not show stock". ::D: The two orange and black lyres and my own orig fry. I love them the best... but I'm biased.. heh heh heh. I only have 4 lyretail females. Two were mine and two I purchased and waited for EVER to sex them. They're much smaller than mine but one was actually preg when I got her (I didn't know yet). She was the first to drop, all four are preg now and 3 are ready to drop anywhere from today to approx 2 weeks. The rest are Koi's and Higfhfins that i'm trying to cross into the lyre line. Again we all know i'm just a hobbiest, but having fun making pretty fish::D: :yes:. And trying to make up for the blue platy fry that I promised and seem to have lost:( . So far i've seen three in the fry tank. The fry have the tank to themselves now so no chance of being eaten once they make it in there. Can they make it in there from the birthing tank is the question.:wideeyed:

[grumpystiltskin]

Nice looking fish, i wonder if they are compatible with my little tetras? hmmmm
i still have quite a bit of room in my tank, might go shopping :yes:

[Melody]

They're community fish - happy shopping!

[jordonsmum]

Still no one has popped, including the highfin that had the fry 1/2 in and 1/2 out. I can't see the little fry anymore, but she still looks very preg. She's behaving like normal and eating like a piggy. hhmmmm.....

[Melody]

Its good that the fry is no longer there. If she appears to be fine, you might as well leave her be. I'd keep the tank extra clean and use the aquarium salt to prevent infection and otherwise wait it out.

[Candice]

Pretty fish. :)

[jordonsmum]

Thanks. Three of the mom's finally dropped and I have a grand total of 91 fry. I'm waiting for a few other's now...