Swordtails and Platies compatibility

Ami

Hi,
I got a 20 gallon high tank with some live and some plastic plants. I already have 6
platies in it. I was wondering if I can have swordtails in it as well.
Thanks,
Ami

Ami

Scratch that...I just read about the Swordtail in the forum. The 20 is too small.

Amethyst123

OK, so maybe it's not relevant right now, but if you ever have a bigger tank and still want an answer to your original question -- Yes, you can house platys and swordtails together. They are close relatives, and the conditions they need are quite similar. However, a couple of things to keep in mind: First, because they are close relatives, they can crossbreed, though if they have the choice, they will mate within species mostly. This may or may not be a problem. If you don't care if you get some crosses, no problem, but could be a problem if you want species "purity." Second, either species the males can be territorial and possessive of their "harem" so unless you have LOTS of room, you're better off with only one male and several females of either or both species. Good news, however, is that the male swordtails do not seem to harrass the male platys, and vice versa (at least in my experience).

Ami

Thanks =0) I'll keep it in mind when I set up a large tank for live bearers.

Amethyst123

You're welcome. Have fun with them. I love my livebearers, although at the moment I'm overwhelmed with babies - guppies, mollies, platys AND swordtails. I only have 2 molly fry, and I'm keeping them, so that's cool, but I am getting heartily tired of infant care! The oldest couple of batches of guppies are old enough for the pet store, and some have already gone, but the platys, even though the same ages as the aforementioned guppies, are still quite small, and the swordtails are quite a bit younger. I do NOT plan to pull out pregnant mommies for awhile at least, if ever again. I do hope to never again have this many fry at once!

But, in spite of everything, I still love my livebearers. As a group, they are my favorite fish.

Ami

I used to have fancy guppies when I was 10 years old or so...I remember keeping them in glass jars. Yeah, they're prolific breeders. My twinbar Platy gave fry last night, but I think they all got eaten =0( I got some plants and plastic plants and Java Moss. I guess I need to get some crystalwort too !
I'm off to camp in Yellowstone on Saturday, but once I come back I am definitely setting up my empty 10 gallon for my fry.