How Soon Are Male Fry Ready To Mate?

[TF Keeper UK]

I have a young male swordtail. How soon will he be ready for mating and would he mate with non swordtail platies?

 

[Annastasia]

As soon as they develop a gonopodium they can mate. The age at which they develop that varies by fish. Some are extremely early or late, but I'd say the average is 3-5 months. Mine have always been developed by 3 months, but that's just mine.

Yes, the male could mate with Platies. They are from the same genus, Xiphophorus. However, if you are want to hybridise them, it's best to use a female Swordtail as Swordtail fry are bigger then Platy fry, and you don't want to cause the female pain by having fry in her that are abnormally large.

 

[TF Keeper UK]

Thanks Annastasia. I think he's ready! He keeps flicking his gonopodium back and forth!