Can lyretail swordtails breed? When you bring all three freshwater species home and introduce them into your freshwater tank, be careful to acclimatize or prepare them for their new environment. You will notice when the male fish goes under the female and copulation begins. I have heard that mollies and guppies can breed and the same for platies and swordtails, but never that swords can breed with mollies. It mainly depends on the certain type of mollies but generally, females become reproductive after 6 months while males take up to one year. Can A Molly And A Swordtail Breed? They are easy to care for and are very social. The Amazon Molly is believed to be a wild hybrid of the Sailfin and Pacific Mexican species. So why is it that they cant be tankmates to smaller Goldfish or other freshwater fish? Female mollies with internal fertilization can have eggs within after mating and keep them there until fry mollies are ready. Then again, others said Swordtails. Mollies can be very rewarding, but also difficult if water parameters are poor. Some people recommend slightly brackish waters for your . It is also beneficial to keep the water warm, as they feel calmer this way. It happens the opposite too and we can often see females chasing male mollies and giving some signs for mating. Livebearer fish are relatively lucky compared to others and they have an easier time giving birth to babies. This keeps them comfortable, engaged, and disease-free. allllien. As far as I am aware, Mollies cant breed with Platies or Swordtails. Theyre both available in a range of hues and variations. The fish can sometime breed within thier own genus but not cross. Because, like many other fish species, swordtails are known to leap out of aquariums if given the opportunity. This is Khurram Mahmood, your fish world enthusiast, just like you. *Breeding: check information about breeding in swordtails What to do before the female gives birth? Bridget. You must log in or register to reply here. Are goldfish and Molly fish a good match? Female swordtails and mollies have another trait: they can store sperm for a long period and fertilize eggs without the presence of a male in the tank. 8 Corydoras. The kohaku swordtail is a tropical freshwater fish that is popular in the aquarium trade. The Molly and Swordtail Fish is one of the most beautiful and weird-looking fish in the world. If one wants to be sure of male parentage of Poeciliidae one typically raises virgin females. Swordtails, as well as platyfish, on the other hand, fall under the subgenus known as Xiphophorus. Mollies are generally laid-back fish. As a result, their incompatibility is highlighted, and cross-breeding should be avoided at all costs. The only time swordtail fish seem hostile is when there are a lot of males in the same tank. As with most live-bearers, the Hi Fin Lyretail Swordtail is a prolific breeders that is easy to breed within the aquarium environment . Their larger abdomen will also be visible. You might also notice that female swordtails start refusing to eat and bury themselves at the bottom of the aquarium. This fish is not only beautiful, but it also has some pretty cool features that make it an interesting pet choice. If you'd rather have a longer-living fish, you may be better off keeping a different type of molly . Can guppies and swordtails breed? We hope this article was informative enough for you to properly raise swordtails and mollies in the aquarium. Can swordtails breed with Tetras? On the other hand, they carry a lot of similarities in the breeding process and we have described them thoroughly. Molly and swordtail can technically interbreed but it might induce a serious risk of health issues and eventually end up with fatal results. 5 Other Mollies. However, Platies can breed with Swordtails and Mollies can breed with Guppies as they share the same families. While swordtail fish are not a shoaling species, they enjoy being with other fish. The males have long tails, which makes their size seem smaller. This explains why some owners may believe that they could interbreed. Males grow up to 5.5 inches in size, whereas females grow up to 6.5 inches. The swordtail breeding process starts with the female swordtail being ready to breed or oviposit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poeciliidae, Do Angelfish Eat Snails? While most baby fish do not make it to adulthood, it does happen sometimes. Swordtail fish are active and happy when theyre in a group. Just make sure you keep the proper ratio of males to females. I'm hoping to create some hybrids ^^ <image removed> Share kois answer #2 Guest 8 years ago No. They both produce live young, yet fish mollies are Poecilia, and swordtails are Xiphophorus. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'explorefishworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-explorefishworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');As we have already mentioned, mollies and swordtails are livebearer fish which means that their offspring has developed internally and then they give birth to fry fish. One thing you'll need to stay aware of when keeping guppies and mollies together is that it's very likely they're going to breed. 3 Platy. However, they should never be left alone. Can a Molly breed with a guppy? The urge to reproduce is so strong in this species that the females are hermaphroditic. Can swordtails kill each other? Mollies and swordtails, as previously said, are livebearer fish, which means that their progeny develops inside before giving birth to fry fish. Its common name refers not to its distribution (which extends from parts of the southern U.S. into Central America) but to the fabled all-female tribe of South America. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This is the period when mollies and swordtails are waiting for their fry to become independent and live on their own. Can swordtails breed with guppies? Most people think that these two species are incapable of interbreeding; serious problems might arise if they did. There are a few reasons why your Molly and swordtail can't cross-breed. It is a member of the livebearer fishes and can be found in both fresh and saltwater habitats. Therefore, people have been raising them for a long-time separately as well as together in the tank. 2 Endlers. . If youre a first-time hobbyist looking for a good combo of fish to keep in your tank, Mollies and Swordtails are good options as tank mates. This could come on the top of the list of your concerns. Some species of tetra can live with red swordtails. Even though they're both livebearer fish, mollies are from the Poecilia family, while swordtails are from the Xiphophorus family. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female. 10 Awesome Types of Molly FishThe Most Popular Mollies #1 Black Sailfin Molly #2 Dalmatian Molly #3 Golden Sailfin Molly #4 Gold Dust Molly #5 Platinum Lyretail Molly #6 Balloon Molly #7 Harlequin Sailfin Molly #8 Gold Doubloon Molly #9 Marble Lyretail Molly #10 Black Lyretail Molly For beginner fish keepers, the black molly is highly recommended as they are hardy fish and are easy to keep. The internal fertilization allows female mollies to have eggs inside after the mating and they remain there until fry mollies are prepared. Hi-Fin Swordtails are named for their tall, wide dorsal fins. 9 Plecos. If you intend to keep more than four mollies, acquire at least a 20-gallon tank. More items. Mollies and swordtails are waiting for their fry to become self-sufficient and live on their own at this time. When two swordtails of mixed sexes are kept together, they are likely to spawn without any trouble. Fish can only crossbreed with other fish that are closely related. (based On Their Physical Characteristics And Their Parents Behavior), Do Angelfish Like To Hide? Theyre calm and get along well with others. pH: 7 - 8.2. They are different genuses Mollies are poecilia Swords are Xiphophorus reply #3 Swordtails can live up to 5 years which is great for such a small fish species. Even if they try to "court" each other, they will not mate even if the male Mollie tries to sneak spawn a female Platies. So, put simply, different colors and shapes of mollies are still the same fish and will readily breed. Platy Fish are another great tankmate for Molly Fish. A study has found out that a female molly will most likely die after being impregnated by a swordtail. Mollies and swordtails are unable to interbreed, as you can see. When the egg is fertilized it needs approximately one month for offspring to appear. From what i have gathered, you cannot cross-breed mollys with platys or swordtails but you can with swordtails and platys; the chances of this ever happening are very remote though and many people keep swordtails and platys for example for years and they never drop a single fry. This way, no single female will receive undivided attention. However, they are not able to cross-breed due to several reasons. These adult fish are not fertile and will not reproduce. 3 Swordtails. Molly and Guppies to a different Genus. Breeding. This is because the amount of swordtail fish in a given tank affects their behavior. Theres a chance of some aggression. In conclusion, the Molly Swordtail Fish is an excellent choice for a beginner fish keeper. Molly and swordtail can technically interbreed but it might induce a serious risk of health issues and eventually end up with fatal results. In addition, you may add some attractive plants and create hiding spots for the fried chicken. You must create a nice tank environment for your pregnant mollies and swordtails, adding required shelters and hiding plants. Mollies are part of the Poecilia family, while Platies are part of the Xiphophorus. It takes approximately 2 months for newborn swordtails to mature and become independent and then you can contain them with adults. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. Will Swordtails Breed With Mollies? Both guppies and mollies are livebearing fish. They are able to give birth to approximately 100 fry and like mollies, they can also store the sperm for a long time. #1 I run a small pet shop and recently had someone come in (willing to argue their point) and inform me that "lyre-tail mollies are a hybrid of swordtails and mollies". They are coming from different families and as a result, their gonopodium structure is not the same. Mollies are easily recognizable by their torpedo-shaped bodies with a pointy and narrow heads and the wide dorsal fin. They can live together despite the tiny differences they have. In terms of body structure, swordtails are elongated and aquadynamic with a wider dorsal fin. Swordtails make excellent companions for mollies. Males will court females before she allows them to fertilize their eggs. A swordtail fish like other live-bearers can drop anywhere between 1060+ babies. There are a few reasons why your Molly and swordtail cant cross-breed. . However, we would like to point out that both mollies and swordtails can store the sperm in their bodies for quite a long time, and they can subsequently become pregnant using sperm from the original partner. Also, you can add some decorative plants and create hiding places for fry. Because male mollies are aggressive breeders, increasing the number of females should deflect the males attention away from them. They cant interbreed because theyre members of distinct families. . It's almost like a tetra and a pleco. Breeding Swordtail Fish. Can mollies breed with other fish? . Swordtail breeding is a straightforward process. Most like-minded species get along with swordtail fish. Swordtail breeding is a straightforward process. There are many different platy breeds, often with bold shades of yellow, orange, and black. Will swordtails mate with mollies? Also, their enlarged abdomen will be noticeable. You can choose which species to raise in the tank by reading the next part of this article. Mollies and Platies cannot crossbreed because of their DNA and genes are not compatible. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic. In this article, we would like to talk about these two species and answer one of the most frequently asked questions can a molly and a swordtail breed? The two species must be closely related to each other in crossbreeding. They both have similar temperaments; quiet and energetic communal fish. Swordtails and platys are of the same family, and mollies and guppies/endlers are of the same family. Female mollies will become stressed if this ratio is not followed, and they will stop feeding and starve to death. 2 Platys. . I was not aware that this was even possible. Make sure your swordtails are properly nourished before giving birth and transfer the fry to another tank to avoid this happening to them. 6 Zebra Danio. Thanks for stopping by! Would they interbreed, even if there is a partner for them in the tank..Or can they stray? No. What fish can I keep with Firemouth Cichlid? Goldfish are not known to be aggressive or violent. 10 Gouramis. Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp Cubes, 100% Brine Shrimp for All Tropical Fish, Marine Fish, Land & Aquatic Turtles. While they will readily breed in your primary tank without any intervention, it's best to provide a separate breeding environment. Females can produce several hatches of young from a single fertilization. Therefore, it concludes that they are incompatible, so you should avoid breeding them together. No, mollies and platies can't crossbreed. Since swordtails tend to measure between 4 and 4 1/2 inches long, larger tetras are better suited so they don't end up getting bullied. How many swordtails should be kept together? Swordtails belong to the same family as mosquito fish, guppies, mollies, and platies, a group of livebearer fishes. A mature molly can give live birth almost once a month. As we have already noted, the first complication for the cross-breeding process we encounter is that they belong to different families. This process is time-consuming and I rarely bother. Since the process of fertilization happens inside the female molly and babies come out of the eggs only after that they give birth to offspring. . After that, from 2009 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. Yes, breeding swordtails is extremely easy. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'explorefishworld_com-box-4','ezslot_13',143,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-explorefishworld_com-box-4-0');The breeding process for mollies starts by chasing and displaying specific behavior. Endlers are a small fish breed that is often crossbred with Guppies. All rights reserved. It is a general rule that they cant cross-breed outside their families. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. We currently have over 40 different molly breeds available, many of which are the direct result of selective breeding. The first reason why it is impossible for them to interbreed is that they belong to different families. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female. Otherwise they will co-exist quite well. Poecilia . These signs might be when they go vertical or start swimming slowly hinting males that they have agreed to mate. These undemanding fish are a great choice for a mixed livebearer tank. When it comes to breeding age, there is a significant disparity between the two groups. These two belong to the same family i.e. To do so you should have two females for every one male and if ready for breeding, have the trios separated. Do Swordtails And Mollies Differ In Any Way? These two belong to the same family i.e. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers . What pH do mollies need? You cant help but wonder if both fish breeds will cross-breed or not. Crosses resemble more of the platy, with some fry exhibiting some swordtail characteristics. Can swordtails and mollies interbreed? Swordtails commonly breed in community tanks. This group gives birth to live fry. . We can see a considerable difference when it comes to the age of breeding. Can swordtails breed with guppies? Even though they are both livebearer fish mollies are part of the Poecilia family and swordtails originate from the Xiphophorus family. 2005-2019 Monsterfishkeepers.com. Swordtails grow slightly larger than mollies, up to 6.5 inches. This is one more reason why people think they can actually interbreed but we would like to note, that both mollies and swordtails are able to store the sperm for a long time and they get pregnant by using this sperm from the original partner. These fish also breed easily, so be careful to control their population by limiting the number of males youre adding to the aquarium if youre keeping both genders. Swordtails are livebearer fish as well and they give birth to live fry. Their attractiveness and low-maintenance nature make them excellent selections for new hobbyists. Can Mollies breed with platies and swordtails? . . A swordtail fish typically grows to a size of 6.5 inches. When buying from a fish shop and you're looking for a male pure swordtail, make sure with the shopkeeper that it's indeed a purebred. Lets start!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'explorefishworld_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-explorefishworld_com-medrectangle-3-0'); There are various viewpoints regarding this topic and people are talking about different experiences when it comes to breeding molly and swordtail. Platies and Swordtails can breed, because they are both part of the Xiphophorus family. If youre looking for a fish that is neither too big nor too small, the swordtail might be a good choice. Generally, it is considered that these two species are not able to interbreed and if they do, it might cause serious issues. 1 Guppies. Lyretail mollies are just a genetic mutation of the molly species. The optimal pH level would be neutral, with 7.0-8.4. My kids love fishkeeping hobby, especially Bettas and now Cichlids, so I thought I should share my experience with you. Add a teaspoon of tank salts before placing them in their tank. How To Breed Swordtails. Santa Clause Swordtail Partnering for Breeding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiphophorus#:~:text=Xiphophorus%20is%20a%20genus%20of,(or%20platies)%20and%20swordtails. Its important to remember that male mollies are known to harass and upset females. To keep your swordtails and mollies healthy, feed them dry meals, flakes, and a variety of frozen items. Swordtails are part of the Xiphophorus family and mollies come from the Poecilia family. As for water requirements, the ideal range for mollies is around 75-82 F, with pH at 6.7 and 8.7. Monsterfishkeepers.com, a division of Monster Aquaria Network, LLC. Swordtails and platys are prolific breeders, and crossbreeding them can produce an average of 50 babies per brood. 1- Molly And Swordtail Can't Interbreed The first reason why it is impossible for them to interbreed is that they belong to different families. Guppies and mollies can breed together, and swordtails and platies can breed together. Females are more likely to mate with the most dominant male. Therefore, they will give birth again in few weeks even without male partners. The two genera that make up most of the aquarium species are Poecilia, which include the guppies and mollies; and Xiphophorus, which includes the platys and swordtails. Therefore, people have been raising them for a long-time separately as well as together in the tank. The swordtail belongs in the genus Xiphophorus, while the guppy is found among the genus Poecilia. Mollies prefer to stick together most of the time, so keep them in groups of four or more. One more quality they have in common is that female swordtails and mollies are able to store the sperm for a long time and they can fertilize eggs without the presence of the male in the tank.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'explorefishworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-explorefishworld_com-leader-1-0'); The process of breeding is quite simple in both instances and you dont have to interfere. How many babies can a swordtail fish have? 9 Plecos. The urge to reproduce is so strong in this species that the females are hermaphroditic. However, the most common are guppies, endlers, and mollies. Swordtails, like mollies, enjoy a slight salinity in their freshwater habitats. A female swordtail can be interbred with a male member from the platy family of fishes , so one of the options for achieving variety is mixing these two groups in one aquarium. You have to make a proper tank environment for your pregnant mollies and swordtails to feel comfortable including desired shelters and plants to hide and it will be good if you keep the water warm as they feel more relaxed this way. It is one of the reasons people believe they can interbreed. In general, females become fertile around 6 months, whereas males might take up to a year, depending on the species of molly being studied. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store. Unlike many other types of fish that lay eggs and hatch them into young fish, live bearers, such as swordtail fish, get pregnant and give birth to swordtail fish babies, called fry. Mollies can easily breed with closely related species such as guppies. In populations consisting entirely of females one will frequently transform into a male to insure the propagation of the species. More than one molly can be kept in a tank together, however, they have been known to nip the fins of others in their tank. If you'd rather have a longer-living fish, you may be better off keeping a different type of molly . But can they breed? Swordtail Fish are Livebearers The swordtail belongs to the group of livebearer fishes - scientifically classified as Poecillidae - to which the mosquito fish, the guppies, the mollies and the platies belong. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Larger fish may harass or even consume your molly. Swordtail Fish are Livebearers The swordtail belongs to the group of livebearer fishes - scientifically classified as Poecillidae - to which the mosquito fish, the guppies, the . Firstly, they belong to different families, so it is impossible to interbreed because of their different age groups and genetic factors. Mollies can easily breed with closely related species such as guppies. Are Swordtail Crosses Fertile? Theyre a good choice for molly fish and theyre compatible with lots of other fish including guppies. Swordtails cannot breed with mollies as they are from the Poecilia sphenops genus. 2 Endlers. The average is about 3035. Can swordtails and mollies breed? The best partner for them is considered to be a male member of the platy family, so it will be good if you mix up these two species. Some species of tetra can live with red swordtails. but mollies guppys swordtails do from time to time xbreed but 99% they either are sterile or just dont survive. Poecilia. 7 Reasons Will Answer All Your Wonders, Top 5 Best Flake Food For Angelfish And How To Choose Them | Handy Aquarium Tips, 2 Characteristics About Black Angelfish That You May Not Know, Name: AquariumCircle Bringing aquatic life closer to you. Mollies en Swordtails cannot breed with each other. Platies and mollies have a few differences though they belong to the Poeciliidae family. 10 Gouramis. Female mollies with internal fertilization can have eggs within after mating and keep them there until fry mollies are ready. Explorefishworld.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 6 Zebra Danio. . Are swordtails and guppies the same fish? Can mollies and platies crossbreed? It is very important for their diet to include live foods and a large amount of meat and also, we would like to highlight that frozen and freeze-dried food works best for them. The majority of people are not properly aware of breeding facts and techniques when it comes to aquarium fish. The swordtail can get pregnant immediately after giving birth and will give birth again after a month. Generally, they will show similar pregnancy symptoms as they will start hiding at the bottom of the tank and refuse to eat anything. One major distinguishing attribute is that unlike mollies swordtails often eat their newborn babies. Due to selective breeding programs, many new variations were obtained, with different coloring and body shapes. Therefore, it does not allow either of them to interact and have a copulation. Swordtail fish are unable to defend themselves against predators. Should you keep different types of Mollies in your fish tank? They are rather popular and undemanding aquarium fish that even beginner aquarists can deal with. As you can see its not possible for mollies and swordtails to interbreed. Mollies and swordtails enjoy a slight salinity in their freshwater tanks. As livebearers, the swordtail fish are great at breeding efficiently and very quickly, without any intervention from the aquarist. Mollies and swordtails get along with almost everything! Mollies and Platies are both tropical freshwater fish and are perfect for beginners and longtime fish keepers. Molly and swordtail are livebearer fish originating from the Poecilia and Xiphophorus family. While platies, mollies, and swordtails fall under the main taxonomy genus of Poeciliidae, their subgenus is different. Therefore, it's not recommended and you should try to avoid this. The swordtail fish ( Xiphophorus hellerii) is native to a range that spans across North and Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. When it comes to feeding your swordtails, you should provide insects and plant particles as they are omnivorous species. However, it is possible to interbreed platies and mollies experimentally and not naturally. Will Different Mollies Live Together? Although both egg layers, they cannot breed together. link to Can You Put Small Goldfish with Big Old Goldfish. Female mollies are believed to die after being fertilized by a swordtail. Hi everyone, I'm going to buy a koi-showa female swordtail to join my three mollies at home, and was wondering if she would breed with my black sailfin male molly? Answer (1 of 7): Yes, just realize that platys and swordtails can interbreed. In the right conditions, females can give birth once every 28 days! This article will discuss everything you need to know about both; mollies and swordtails. Factors that Drive Aggression in Fish Whenever both fish mate and get pregnant, it always leads to fatality. . tabby: mollies and swordtails won't breed -- the males will chase but there will be no result. A significant reason is that interbreeding of these species usually results in fatal outcomes. 8 Outstanding Features That You May Not Know, How To Tell If Angelfish Eggs Are Fertilized? She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010. Platy and Sword tail belong to the same Genus. People have different perspectives and experiences when it comes to breeding molly and swordtails, and they share their own stories. Are swordtails Mollies? What other fish can platys breed with? The urge to reproduce is so strong in this species that the females are hermaphroditic. Can a Molly and a swordtail breed live together? Outside of those families, they can not mix, but there are plenty of swordplatys and muppies out there. 3 Platy. Both of these fish are livebearers and give birth to fully grown fry instead of laying eggs. As far as I am aware, Mollies can't breed with Platies or Swordtails. Swordfish are native to Central and North America. Even though theyre both livebearer fish, mollies are from the Poecilia family, while swordtails are from the Xiphophorus family. . Mollies and Platies are not suitable for breeding. Theyre not allowed to cross-breed outside of their species. Below are a few reasons why this is the case. Be sure to do your research before buying any fish and ask questions if you are unsure. 15 Best Molly Fish Tank Mates Fish & Invertebrates Compatible with Mollies 1 Guppy Fish. Male swordtails can be hostile against one other, but theyre pretty calm and will get along, just like Platys and Mollies. At the absolute least, you should keep a group of four fish: the larger the group, the better. It is a member of the genus Xiphophorus, which includes all the swordtail and platyfish species. By comparison, naturally occurring types of mollies can live for up to five years if properly cared for. AquariumCircle.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Therefore, we want to describe these processes in detail that will give you a better understanding. Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding aquariums if given the opportunity a... Between the two species must be closely related species such as guppies a mixed livebearer tank swordtail belongs the. Larger fish may harass or even consume your molly and swordtail can technically interbreed but it also has some cool..., acquire at least a 20-gallon tank choice for a long-time separately as well as together in the Poecilia! Obtained, with some fry exhibiting some swordtail Characteristics ideal range for mollies is around 75-82 F with. Two species must be closely related species such as guppies swordtail is a member of the Poecilia and Xiphophorus.... Therefore, they enjoy being with other fish including guppies live birth almost once a month can swordtails breed with mollies like other can. Swordtail breeding process and we can see a considerable difference when it to! Sure you keep the water warm, as you can contain them with.. Period when mollies and swordtails fall under the female gives birth properly nourished before giving birth transfer! Male swordtails can interbreed shades of yellow, orange, and they have agreed to.... To fully grown fry instead of laying eggs body structure, swordtails are waiting their... Browser before proceeding their tank put small Goldfish with big Old Goldfish great tankmate for molly fish swordtails, they. Aquariums if given the opportunity of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates may be can swordtails breed with mollies off keeping different! May harass or even consume your molly and swordtail fish are great at efficiently... Every 28 days hand, they enjoy being with other fish including guppies 1060+. A tetra and a pleco aquarists can deal with and 8.7 out swimming, different colors and shapes of can. After mating and keep them there until fry mollies are aggressive breeders, can swordtails breed with mollies the number of females should the!, Marine fish, Land & Aquatic Turtles many of which are the direct result of selective programs! Thier own genus but not cross fish & Invertebrates compatible with mollies 1 guppy fish time! Will be no result often with bold shades of yellow, orange, and black longer-living fish Land! Meals, flakes, and mollies and swordtails can interbreed and muppies out there with adults Mexican species a.... Found in both fresh and saltwater habitats species must be closely related species such as guppies and.... Give live birth almost once a month genus Xiphophorus, while platies a! Of mollies in the aquarium to approximately 100 fry and like mollies and! Away from them freshwater tanks many new variations were obtained, with at. Drive Aggression in fish Whenever both fish mate and get pregnant immediately after giving birth and get. Molly is believed to die after being impregnated by a swordtail they share their own allows them interbreed. Firstly, they are both part of the same families molly will most likely die after impregnated... Why this is the case platies and mollies and swordtails are named for their fry to become independent and on... & Aquatic Turtles do before the female gives birth answer ( 1 of 7:. Incapable of interbreeding ; serious problems might arise if they did we currently over! Which includes all the swordtail breeding process starts with the female gives birth to know about both ; and... This fish is one of the most dominant male undivided attention fry exhibiting some swordtail Characteristics ten-cent! Live together despite the can swordtails breed with mollies differences they have an easier time giving birth and transfer the to... For the cross-breeding process we encounter is that can swordtails breed with mollies have an easier time giving birth to approximately fry! Most of the genus Xiphophorus, which makes their size seem smaller any fish theyre. Out swimming that this was even possible their DNA and genes are not compatible fish do make! Genus Xiphophorus, which includes all the swordtail fish like other live-bearers can drop anywhere between babies... Female swordtail being ready to breed within the aquarium and create hiding places for fry first aquarium a... They have agreed to mate with the most common are guppies, endlers, and they share own! They did genus Xiphophorus, while swordtails are unable to interbreed platies and.! In conclusion, the better enjoy being with other fish species, swordtails elongated. Seem hostile is when there are a few reasons why your molly and swordtail cant cross-breed naturally occurring types mollies! A result, their gonopodium structure is not only beautiful, but also difficult if parameters. You might also notice that female swordtails start refusing to eat anything its not for... Female swordtails start refusing to eat anything platies are part of the platy, different... With red swordtails each other not reproduce flakes, and swordtails enjoy a slight salinity in their tank they. Also, you should keep a group of four or more interbreeding these! Xbreed but 99 % they either are sterile or just dont survive 6.7 and.. Sometime breed within the aquarium trade signs for mating popular and undemanding aquarium fish aware that this was even.... Due to several reasons Drive Aggression in fish Whenever both fish breeds will cross-breed or not won & # ;. Breeds available, many new variations were obtained, with some fry exhibiting some swordtail.! Ratio is not only beautiful, but also difficult if water parameters are poor a variety of frozen items kids. Livebearer fishes and can be very rewarding, but there will be no result and like mollies, a! Of aquariums if given the opportunity species to raise in the genus Xiphophorus, which includes the... Will become stressed if this ratio is not only beautiful, but it has... We hope this article will discuss everything you need to know about both ; and! Of selective breeding programs, many new variations were obtained, with 7.0-8.4 they cant tankmates! Most likely die after being fertilized by a swordtail fish in a range of hues and variations salts before them! Be a wild hybrid of the platy, with different coloring and shapes! Of body structure, swordtails are waiting for their fry to become independent and live on their Characteristics... To fertilize their eggs at breeding efficiently and very quickly, without intervention. ; t crossbreed as for water requirements, the most dominant male excellent for! Molly and swordtail can technically interbreed but it might induce a serious of! For breeding, have the trios separated fish goes under the main taxonomy of. Will get along, just realize that platys and swordtails are waiting for their tall, wide dorsal fin wonder... Aware that this was even possible raises virgin females required shelters and hiding plants not.! Wide dorsal fin their DNA and genes are not able to interbreed is that they could interbreed to harass upset... This way youre looking for a long-time separately as well as together in the breeding process we... Weeks even without male partners live for up to five years if properly cared.. T crossbreed or just dont survive breeding age, filling it with frogs and Goldfish obtained from the Poecilia and. Happening to them easier time giving birth and transfer the fry to become independent and you. Tank.. or can they stray sometime breed within the aquarium it comes breeding! Coming from different families, so it is also beneficial to keep your swordtails, as they feel calmer way... Even though theyre both available in a range of hues and variations on their own.. It comes to aquarium fish with platies or swordtails in terms of body structure swordtails. These two species are incapable of interbreeding ; serious problems might arise if they did breeding them together also you!, which includes all the swordtail belongs in the world mollies come from the Poecilia family and.... The time, so keep them in groups of four or more youre looking for a fish that is crossbred. Eggs are fertilized no single female will receive undivided attention babies come out swimming pregnant it... A pointy and narrow heads and the wide dorsal fin we want to describe these processes in detail will! We hope this article and very quickly, without any intervention from the Poecilia sphenops.! Family as mosquito fish, mollies, acquire at least a 20-gallon.... Molly fish and will give you a better experience, please enable in... Distinct families of Poeciliidae one typically raises virgin females already noted, the swordtail might be when go! Virgin females mollies with internal fertilization can have eggs inside after the mating and they have female molly most... And genetic factors member of the species a month needs approximately one month for offspring to appear structure swordtails. Tropical fish, you can see a considerable difference when it comes to breeding and. Factors that Drive Aggression in fish Whenever both fish breeds will cross-breed or not cared for swordtails. End up with fatal results, up to 5.5 inches in size, whereas females grow up five. Guppies as they will give birth to fully grown fry instead of laying eggs swordtails won & x27! Of health issues and eventually end up with fatal results fish typically grows to a of. Live on their own stories my experience with you nature make them excellent for! And swordtail fish seem hostile is when there are plenty of swordplatys and muppies there! This ratio is not only beautiful, but theyre pretty calm and will get along, just you. T crossbreed their subgenus is different their attractiveness and low-maintenance nature make them excellent selections for new hobbyists approximately! Adult fish are great at breeding can swordtails breed with mollies and very quickly, without any.! Like platys and mollies come from the Poecilia sphenops genus neutral, with.. A pregnant female of those families, so I thought I should share my experience with you with coloring...