Can Swordtails and Mickey Mouse Platys Breed?

[aka]

I recently purchased some $0.08 "feeder fish" from the local petshop and several of them turned out to be swordails! However, only the male swordtails survived to adulthood. One of them is a very pretty yellow with an orange and black striped tail, and I'd love to see him have offspring...but the only female fish I have in the tank is a "Mickey Mouse" platy.

Is there any chance they could mate naturally?

If not, can I do something to "encourage" them?

 

[Angry_Platy]

Yes they will breed.....it may taker longer than breeking him with another swordy or her with another platy but it can and prolly will happen.

All you can really do is provide plenty of hiding spaces for the fry.....if they know the babies are going to be safe they may be mroe likely to give you fry

Though, if you listen to polardbear, you need to set up a shrine to them and worship them

 

[Polardbear]

The shrine thing works wonders.

Many of the colors and fin types available in swordies are a result of selective cross breeding of swordies and platys. They are capabale of cross breeding and probably will given time. (Unless they live in Angry_Platys tanks and then they will refuse to breed ).

Like Angry_Platy said, make sure they feel comfortable and have an ideal set up for babies to encourage them.