75 stock and set up

MinaMinaMina

Thank you, I understand that they are from two different genus. They are from the same family and subfamily, Poeciliinae. I'm not entirely sure how it would work, but I know that there are accounts of the interbreeding, reliable or not I am unsure. I am simply passing along information that I've found, if the OP wants to pursue it. And I understand that you are doing the same. We're both on the same side, just trying to look out for the fish welfare. So we have different information, and we've said our parts. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong and the information is faulty, but for the fish welfare I felt obligated to pass it along so that the OP could investigate if he/she so chooses. Happy fish-keeping, everybody!

slkb

Of course the welfare of the fish are the top concern. I think some facts are based upon experience. And fish do contain different personalities. If the fish aren't compatible I wouldn't keep them in the same tank, but so far from my experience with the room they have they all are doing fine. If a problem occurs in the future I'll correct it and move the fish.
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Byron

On the issue of cross-breeding, I cannot be definitive but when I recently researched the scientific literature for my revision of the Platy profile, I did discover that Platy should never be housed with other livebearers, since it will interbreed especially with swordtails and the other Platy species, but also with the Guppy. Molly was not specifically mentioned, but (currently) the molly and Guppy are in the same genus.

Byron

I personally would not recommend an undergravel filter in this case. Especially if plants are intended. A canister rated for the 75g would be in my view a better option in filtration.

Byron.

slkb

Would cross breeding put the fish itself in danger? Or would it just have babies that won't survive? What would happen exactly?

And I was considering a canister. Might work out better in the long run
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KendraMc

cross breeding is often how some of the interesting varieties occur, especially in swordtails and platies. there should be no danger to the parent, the offspring can sometime be infertile, but mostly a lot of the times crossbred fish are just not wanted in the fish community as a whole. i believe there is a lot of problems with this in some of the cichlids, but i don't think it is quite as bad with livebearers.

Byron

Would cross breeding put the fish itself in danger? Or would it just have babies that won't survive? What would happen exactly?

This question is delving into a knowledge of biology beyond mine. But I do know that in many cases, cross-breeding results in offspring that are themselves infertile. I'm not saying it will here; I understand that the common Guppy and Endlers Livebearer do live together in at least one natural habitat, and ichthyologists are fairly certain they do not naturally inter-breed. But in aquaria when forced, they have, and some aquarists report supposedly fertile offspring, others say no.

Obviously, the two Platy species and the Swordtail will cross-breed with fertile offspring; we would not have the multitude of colour varieties today if this were not so.

As I mention in our Guppy profile, some current ichthyologists are proposing that the Guppy be moved to a distinct genus rather than being kept as a species in with the molly species (of which there is more than one). This would suggest these two fish (Guppy, molly) are perhaps not as closely related as once thought.

Byron.

slkb

as long as the fish aren't in any harm themselves, then i'll continue to keep them together. they aren't aggressive towards each other, and the infertile offspring will most likely be cannibalized.

i appreciate all the feedback guys

WisFish

I'm still using my UGF Byron . I'd pick a different lighting fixture. Go with one that uses 4 foot tubes. From the picture, it looks likethe one you selected takes 2 footers. Also make sure whatever you choose has at least 2 t-8 bulbs if you have live plants. I'd also go with a cannister filter. I have the Ehiem 2217 on my 55gal.

slkb

i think some tanks will stay biologically stable w/o a ugf, although i was considering a RFUGF for the saltwater i plan on having. yea i was reconsidering the lighting too, i don't really care for hoods, i'd rather have a glass top and strip lights. and i was actually looking at the exact canister model today lol