lyndatu

Hello

I'm planning to get a couple of orange platys for my 20-gallon livebearer tank. But, I've been having troubles on getting platys; I once bought a fish on what I thought was an orange platy and a few days later it turned out to be a swordtail(a sword grew on its tail). How can you tell them apart? Do you have some pictures?

Thanks in advance!

swords3711

They are actually quite easy. Swords bodies are longer and thinner. Platys are a little more round
left is a platy (probably pregnant) Pay more attention to the vertical or up and down length difference
right female sword
variatus is a type of platy with a sword's body. They have the longer body, but don't get the tail spike like male swords. Also, coloration usually isn't similar. If you know what platys you are looking for, they should have a color variety different from that of a sword.

Attached Images

	platy.jpg (8.7 KB, 5 views)
	pineapplesword.jpg (9.1 KB, 5 views)

Dino

I beg to differ.
Most color varities can be found in both platies and swords.
Reg wag ( red body, black fins) can be found in both platies and swordtails.

swords3711

well I know with that color strain, but those are extremely easy to tell apart

lyndatu

A nearby LFS just got a shipment of fishes and supplies. I went to pay a visit, and saw wagtails. I think I can tell they are platys, for their bodies are short and round. Thanks for the info, all.

Just one more question.........is there a type of platy that is pure orange and no black fins?

Thanks in advance!

KittieKat

theres one called rossa thats all red but has a tiny bit of clear fin on the tail, sunburst that is a dark yellow that goes into dark orange/red, glowlight orange is like an orange version of the rossa i guess..... thats all i know of off the top of my head..

COBettaCouple

You can find orange platys with little or no black marking. They'll usually be sold under a name like sunset or sunfire, depending on the fish store.

swords3711

They have so many different color strains that it won't surprise me. I don't know any off the top of my head. Good Luck finding some though