Cross Breed

[juliehainsworth]

I recently purchased some sunset platies 2males 3 females (and around 30 fry in a seperate tank), one of my male platies has a tip to his tail like a small version of a swordtail, is it possible that somewhere down the line he has a bit of swordtail in him! Also he is the more dominant of the two males is this normal behavious in platies as I have only ever had one pair before and that was about ten years ago.

Would it be wise to use this male as my main breeding male or should I try and breed from the other male?

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Platies and swordtails often interbreed so it is probably the case, the off spring generally get a bit bigger than standard platies so thats probably why he's being dominant. I would avoid breeding from him unless you know you can find homes for the offspring.

Emma

 

[Jayrod7]

indeed. i have had a sword mate with a platy and they made fry.

 

[CobraGuppyMAD]

try to avoid breeding

 

[vet tech]

I recently purchased some sunset platies 2males 3 females (and around 30 fry in a seperate tank), one of my male platies has a tip to his tail like a small version of a swordtail, is it possible that somewhere down the line he has a bit of swordtail in him! Also he is the more dominant of the two males is this normal behavious in platies as I have only ever had one pair before and that was about ten years ago.

Would it be wise to use this male as my main breeding male or should I try and breed from the other male?

It sounds to me like a "Plume-Tail" platy and I have purchsed them before. I am actually looking to purchase more. If any one knows where I can optain Plume tail platies please let me know. I am located in PA, near Easton. [email protected]

 

[VENOM]

some platies and even guppies develop swords sometimes.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

There are many tail types available in livebearers, even pure bred/pedigree ones- your best bet is to post a pic of him on here to see if he has a true tail type or rather just a mishaped tail from cross or inbreeding .
I would also strongly advise you get more female platys if you plant to keep a mixed gender group, you really need 2-3females per male as so to lower agression and harrasment between the genders otherwise your platys may start to suffer health problems brought on by stress. What do you plan to do with all the fry at current?

 

[juliehainsworth]

There are many tail types available in livebearers, even pure bred/pedigree ones- your best bet is to post a pic of him on here to see if he has a true tail type or rather just a mishaped tail from cross or inbreeding .
I would also strongly advise you get more female platys if you plant to keep a mixed gender group, you really need 2-3females per male as so to lower agression and harrasment between the genders otherwise your platys may start to suffer health problems brought on by stress. What do you plan to do with all the fry at current?

My platies have just paired off at the moment find that very unusual the two darker ones stick together and the two paler ones stick together! I'm going to keep a couple of the fry (female) when they get older! The rest are off back to my LFS they have already agreed to take them on! Any future fry are going to be left to grow in the community aquarium! There are quite a few hiding places for them so some should survive!

The one with the tip to his tail has started to get alot more vibrant colours! I have a feeling that is becuase he has become the dominant one!

Got a bit worried about my other male on Saturday as he bloated up and looked pregnant, but it turns out he had just over indulged on the live food I'd supplied as he was back to normal!

Hmmm wonder what the chances are of a male actually getting pregnant as it is both sexes instead of one? Is it possible or not? I suppose in theory it could be as it does happen to alot of other animals! (sorry just pondering out loud)