Breeding Swordtails And/or Platies

[Austin_09]

Okay, well lately I have been thinking it would be really cool if I could breed swordtails or platies then take them the fish store here in town and get credit for them. I was wondering what size of a tank they would feel most comfortable in, what temperature, and things like that. Also what kinds of environments to they like. Oh, well the bell rang (am in school) have to go!

 

[Nevergone815]

Okay, well lately I have been thinking it would be really cool if I could breed swordtails or platies then take them the fish store here in town and get credit for them. I was wondering what size of a tank they would feel most comfortable in, what temperature, and things like that. Also what kinds of environments to they like. Oh, well the bell rang (am in school) have to go!

with swordtails and platies (before you breed) make sure that your lfs (live fish store) will give you credit for them first. as for them breeding... swordtails get bigger and need IDEALLY (not necessary at smaller sizes) a 20 gal US tank. the platies will be fine in a 10 gal US as well as the small swordtails. as for platies and swordtails (with exceptions as all other livebearers) just add water and you get fry. literally there is no special need really for them. just keep them in a temp of 75-78F with basic community water boundaries

Basic Community Tank Stats:

Ammonia: 0 ppm ( 0 mg/L)
NitrIte: 0 ppm (0 mg/L)- can be slightly higher but can cause A LOT of stress
NitrAte: no higher than 25 ppm (25 mg/L)- can be slightly higher but can cause stress
Hardness: 120-180 ppm (12-18 dH)
Alkalinity/Buffering Capacity: 120-180 ppm (12-18 kH)- believe that that is the right kH- correct me if i'm wrong
pH: 7.2-7.6 IDEAL- 6.4-8.2 will work

*the stats (with exception of the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate) can be slightly higher or lower, but must be consistant for that to work*

On another note... i hate when the bell rings when you are in the middle of something! ... brings back some fond memories...

 

[Austin_09]

Okay, that sounds great! The tank I was planning on keeping them in is a 20G US. Yeah, I will have to go ask if they will give me credit for the fry.. I might even do it for free if they won't pay for them.. Just for fun. I am thinking about puting my larger fish that I have in my 20G in the Trading Post and see if I can get a little money off of them and then buy the Swordtails and Platies. The reason I am wanting to sell my larger fish is because they are getting too big for the tank they are in and I don't have anything bigger so I think it would be best for them if they get a new home that has more room.

Oh, and one more thing. The tank I am planning to have them in has a few Cory Cats. The fry will be fine with this right? Since Croies normally stay at the bottom?

 

[Annastasia]

I'd pick either Swordtails or Platies. They can interbreed, and there may be aggression between the males of the species. Corydoras will be fine. They usually don't eat fry. However, the parents will, so you'll either need to set up a seperate breeding tank, or raise them up in a breeder tank for a bit. Or just do survival of the fittest.

Oh yes, and nitrIte shouldn't be above 0.

 

[Austin_09]

OKay, thanks. You guys have been a big help!

 

[Nevergone815]

Okay, that sounds great! The tank I was planning on keeping them in is a 20G US. Yeah, I will have to go ask if they will give me credit for the fry.. I might even do it for free if they won't pay for them.. Just for fun. I am thinking about puting my larger fish that I have in my 20G in the Trading Post and see if I can get a little money off of them and then buy the Swordtails and Platies. The reason I am wanting to sell my larger fish is because they are getting too big for the tank they are in and I don't have anything bigger so I think it would be best for them if they get a new home that has more room.

Oh, and one more thing. The tank I am planning to have them in has a few Cory Cats. The fry will be fine with this right? Since Croies normally stay at the bottom?

breeding them is fun!!! i would suggest trying it even though they might not give you anything for them!!!

also... what kind of fish are you looking to sell... i might be interesed depending on what they are...

btw where are you located? i'm in the US.

and i agree with annastasia... pick one or the other or your lfs might gie you a lot of trouble even taking them for free as they might very well and probably will be hybrids. they don't really grab support like pure platies or pure swordtails.

 

[blitztidus]

I did the same last year, I used a twenty gallon for just fry. It was all swordtails, He gave me discounts, I got about 10 to 20% off, don't remember
Blitztidus

 

[Austin_09]

Umm... Well the fish I am HOPING to sell are two Blood Parrots and one Pleco. I know I probably won't be able to get anything for them but I can still try. Maybe I'll ask $15-$20. With that money could pobably buy 4-5 swordtail (which is what I'm leaning twords breeding). I'll let you all know how it goes.