Goliad Farms, LP - Xiphophorus 'Red Wag Platy'

Goliad Farms, LP

8497 FM 622
Goliad, Texas 77963

Voice 361.645.2252
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com

Contents

Fish

Platy
Maculatus

Variatus

Redtail Black Plumetail Variatus

The Redtail Black Plumetail Variatus is a North American livebearer related to and in the same genus, Xiphophorus, as the swordtails. (Click here for a general discussion of the genus Xiphophorus.) ( Click here for a general discussion of platies.) Most commercial strains of platies have mixed heritage, including ancestors from X. helleri, X. maculatus and X. variatus. This fish is largely descended from X. maculatus. We developed this strain by crossing our Redtail Black Variatus Platy to a Plumetail Platy we acquired at the 2004 ALA convention fish auction in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We then selected for both the plumetail characteristic and the proper color pattern in the resulting offspring.

Size: Males often reach 4cm (1.5 in.). Females are somewhat larger and much heavier.

Description: Both sexes have black bodies, orange to red caudals and yellow dorsals. Males have brighter colors. Both sexes sport the plume in the middle of the caudal fin. The top photo is of one of our present breeder males after selection for improved plumetails. The male sports a short sword on the bottom margin of his caudal fin, a frequent characteristic of male plumetails. The bottom photo is of a young female before we began selecting for black bodies. The plumetails on females are smaller than the males, but this one has a nice bushy plumetail.

Environment: This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring the higher end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers hard water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F).

Geographic Range: This fish has no natural range, but of its ancestors hail from Mexican and Central America.

Temperament: This fish is not aggressive and is active. It can be kept either in a single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with rainbowfish, other livebearers or other fish with similar behavior and requirements.

Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding.

Spawning: This livebearer breeds like other members of its genus. At 30°C (85°F), broods are delivered about every 28 days. Broods can be as large as 100 fry for mature females. Like other Poeciliidae, the females can store sperm and have as many as 8 broods from a single mating. The fry are large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, etc. immediately. Adults will eat fry, so they must have some protection such as dense fine-leafed plants to survive. Males are constantly courting and chasing the females, stopping only to spar with other males or eat.

Additional Information: For more information about this species, click on one of the following article names:

Additional Photos: For additional photos of this species, click on one of the following photo locations:

Page last modified June 4, 2007.