zerotona

I know that platies and swordtails can breed because they're both Xiphophorouseseses, lol.. but would male swordtails harrass a female platy like a male platy would?

I want to get two female platies for my lone male, but I am thinking about getting a couple of male swordtails too. I don't want to get a couple and have them all harrass the female platies. I also don't really want female swordtails because they look alot like platies.

Anyone know?

Dino

Yes, both male swords and platies will harass the female platies.
A ratio of at least 2 females per male is the way to go.

zerotona

Argh, well that is a little annoying then. I really wanted to get some swordtails but I heard they prefer not being alone, plus I already have the male platy. For the amount of female platies I would need to compensate, would probably overstock my tank. I guess I'll stick with a couple of mollies.

Thanks

COBettaCouple

how big is the tank?

zerotona

It's 20 gallons. I already have 4 male guppies and a male platy and a platy fry of gender unknown.

Is it true that the offspring of a swordtail and a platy is a variatus platy? It's got me wondering what their kiddies would look like.

COBettaCouple

if the fry got moved to a growout tank, you'd only have 8" of fish and room for 12" more.

Neil

My 2 Platies male/female get along fine, asked for 2 females but sure the one is male, they have been getting along fine.

zerotona

I thought my male platy was female too. He was young when I got him so he looked female. He's only recently started chasing females so I guess they don't do that until they get a bit older.

I ended up getting another high fin platy and a female swordtail because I needed another female and I couldn't find a platy I liked. So far my male platy is harrassing both of them pretty much constantly.. lol.

I got another guppy too because he is blue and you don't see blue fish that often. I just pray that they don't drop dead, like the fish I got 2 weeks ago.

swords3711

multiple male swords of the same species is not a good idea. They will fight often. It sometimes is fun to watch beings that they try to use their swords as weapons. lol. As for Platy/swords. I have swords and platys in the same tank and they never bother each other

zerotona

The swordtail female is soo aggressive, lol. My male platy was trying it on with her for a while but everytime he goes near her now she snaps at him. Now whenever she's swimming past he tries to make himself as small as possible and hides.

COBettaCouple

aren't fish fun?