Livebearers not breeding-Suggestions?

[mcr123]

Hi everyone,

Apologies for the long winded post, but I want to give as much information as I can to hopefully get the best answers possible. I currently have a 20 gallon tank set up. I’ve kept tanks on and off for years. This tank was set up in November. It contains livebearers as well as live plants (Annubias, Java ferns, ludweggia, and one or two others. I may have botched the spelling).
The filter is an aquaclear 50.
A problem I am currently having, and have had in this house for years with livebearers, is that the livebearers will not breed in my tank.
I currently have 2 female swordtails (I know I need to pick up a male-the store did not have any left), 1 male and 1 female tux platy, and one male and 2 female black mollies. I also have a yo-yo loachthat’s serving as my catfish since they can handle higher ph, as well as an algae eater. I just added the swords and with no male, obviously I’m not concerned about them specifically. But the others won’t breed and in the past, neither would other swordtails and livebearers I kept. I’ve tried different ratios of males and females but no luck.

I have had enough experience in keeping tanks that I am 100% positive in identifying males and females so I know when I have both. I am also aware of the signs for a pregnant fish, which I haven’t been having, so I think I can pretty much rule out the idea that they’re giving birth and the babies are being eaten before I can find them.Thefish are active, eating, and otherwise look healthy, but refuse to breed. The male platy completely ignores the female. The male molly will occasionally chase the females for a quick second and then gives up.

Water parameters are as follows.
Temperature: 79* F
pH: 7.5
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20ppm or less
KH: Around 40ppm
GH: Around 120ppm
I am using aquarium salt as directed.
Tap water is treated so it is de-chlorinated.

I feed a mix of a couple different types of flake food, usually 2-3 times a day. I am not over feeding.

Thank you for any and all suggestions!!

 

[Sprinkle]

The problems is your water hardness, but not necessarily as livebearers will breed in any conditions. See, livebearers need hard water, platies of about 200ppm GH and mollies need 253ppm, and your pH for them is correct.
Yoyo loach will get bit large and is an active fish that needs a group 4+ and a 40 gallon tank so please rehome it. Swordtail are quite large fish as well therefore I recommend a size tank of 30 gallons+ for them so please rehome them as well and please dont get a male into this as well.

 

[FreshyFresh]

You've never had a female livebearer come from the store or your source pregnant? That's about impossible if they're store bought. I've had female guppies and endlers continue to become pregnant and give birth several times w/out a viable male present.

Trying to toss out the possibility that the babies are getting eaten before you discover them.

 

[Sprinkle]

Trying to toss out the possibility that the babies are getting eaten before you discover them.

Yes, it is highly unlikely the babies are eaten before being discovered. In my 2 year experience I have always discovered some before disappearing.
As I said already, liveabearers are prolific breeders and will breed under any circumstance unless the water is just not right for them or the tank is not cared for months.