Swordtail-Platy Hybrid

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer

Xiphophorus sp. - Heckel, 1848
Swordtail-Platy Hybrid

Crossbreeding results in many color variations. Aaron Norman

[edit] Overview

When swordtails and platies are housed in the same tank, hybrid fry will almost inevitably be the result. Most breeders prefer to maintain pure strains, but some use crossbreeding to develop new color forms and body configurations.

Family: Poeciliidae

Other common name(s):

Native range:

Habitat: Needs a long, rather than tall, aquarium, with plants restricted to the sides and back, and plenty of room to swim in the center.

Maximum length: 11.5 cm (5 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)

Water: Freshwater 22 °C (295 K, 72 °F) - 26 °C (299 K, 79 °F)

General swimming level: Midwater to top.

[edit] Feeding

Omnivore. In the wild, plant material and insects form the major portion of their diets. In the aquarium, they will consume a wide variety of foods, such as good-quality flakes, freeze-dried, frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and mysid shrimp. To round out their diets, also offer algae-based foods, such as Spirulina flakes.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

Males are apt to bully one another, so keep only one male to several females. Sometimes they may even be a little aggressive toward other species, although they can be housed with a variety of generally peaceful, community tank fishes.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Classic livebearer. Will crossbreed with pure platies and swordtails, so it is best not to keep them in the same aquarium unless you want more hybridization to occur.

[edit] Notes

Good jumpers, so a tight-fitting cover is a must.

Reference: 101 Best Tropical Fishes
Image credit: AN
Text credit: KW
Facts about Swordtail-Platy HybridRDF feed
Common name Swordtail-Platy Hybrid  +
Family Poeciliidae  +
Genus Xiphophorus  +
Image credit AN  +
Maximum length 5 in  +
Minimum aquarium size 30 gal  +
Native range Central America  +
Reference 101 Best Tropical Fishes  +
Specific name sp.  +
Swimming level Midwater to top.  +
Text credit KW  +
Water max temp 299 K (26 °C, 79 °F)  +
Water min temp 295 K (22 °C, 72 °F)  +
Water type Freshwater  +
Retrieved from "http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/Swordtail-Platy_Hybrid"