Molly or Platy?

[Laura321321]

Hello,

We have a new fish tank and began with 6 platys. A few weeks in and we have introduced another fish but I’m unsure if it’s a platy or molly? It was sold as a platy in the shop but I’m not sure as it looks a slightly different shape to our others. Is anyone able to confirm?

Thanks!

 

[Ichthys]

It’s a Swordtail.

 

[Laura321321]

It’s a Swordtail.

Thank you! Will the single swordtail be happy amongst all my other platys or does it need another swordtail companion?

 

[Laura321321]

Also will aquatic stores be less likely to accept donations if babies are hybrids? We only had our platys for a week when they had babies, I didn’t notice when we bought them that two of them were pregnant. Three weeks in and we have 11 babies that have survived so hoping to donate them when they are a bit bigger.

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello. Stores typically don't accept donations, because they don't know you or your fish keeping methods. Now, if you have a small store, with no no connection with a larger chain of fish stores, that's another thing. Small, local stores have been known to work with local fish keepers.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[Ichthys]

Thank you! Will the single swordtail be happy amongst all my other platys or does it need another swordtail companion?

Swordtails get a lot bigger than platies and need a much bigger tank. She would feel ‘happier’ with other Swords, but they can be very aggressive to each other, especially males.

 

[emeraldking]

Well, she's indeed a swordtail. But swordtails will do well with platies, tbh. They can crossbreed. They should've known it that she's a swordtail and no platy. For that's just basic information.

Swordtails get a lot bigger than platies

That depends on the kind of swordtail. There are a number of dwarf swordtails on the market like Xiphophorus pygmaeus, Xiphophorus continens, etc which are small. And variatus platies are bigger than maculatus platies.