Platy Varieties & Pics
Mellisa, If you’re thinking that each of your different color varieties of Platy’s (besides the variatus) are all different species, they are not — they are simply just that, different color varieties of the same species — Xiphophorus maculatus. This species has been one of the mainstays in the hobby for many decades, due in part to its many different offerings of color (not to mention its advantages as a community fish, its adaptability and its hardiness — and oh yes, its ease of breeding). For these reasons, few other Platy species have ever become as popular, even though there are numerous other interesting ones.
In catching a talk on Livebearers and the collecting of them last night at our (NJAS) monthly meeting by a well recognized Livebearer enthusiast/speaker (Rit Forcier), I was reminded of some of the now extinct (in the wild) Platy species such as Xiphophorus cochianus (Monterey Platy) which are being kept extant only through the efforts of some dedicated ALA hobbyists (some I’m glad to say, in our club) in this country as well as such noteables as Ivan Dibble of BLA (British Livebearer Association) fame who’ve taken an interest in such species despite these fishes’ lack of more-attractive man-made color through hybridization. I included this only to demonstrate that there are many more Platy species of interest in the hobby, which are virtually unknown by many hobbyists who have access only to the more common ones.
I don’t know the methods you’ve employed in searching for “variatus,” but this name has no connection to Swordtails (except for the remote possibility of this being yet another color strain of this species, which I still doubt). The only possible connection to be seen is the common use of the Genus name “Xiphophorus” which both of these closely (obviously, very closely) related fish types share — which is why they’re so easily interbred. Xiphophorus variatus is known as the “Sunset Variatus Platy,” a fish totally removed on the species level from both X. helleri (common Swordtail), X. maculatus (regular Platy) and any of the other similar (yet different) species in this Genus. BTW, I had reported there were 23 different Xiphophorus species, in my previous reply. I stand corrected; as of 2006 when Rit, Ivan et al made their collecting sojourn throughout Mexico in their quest for various Livebearers, there have been another 4 species added to this list.
As for your further descriptions of your fish (i.e., champagne color in one, balloonish shape in the other), I’d like to mention that their have been “variations on a theme”; due to further crossings, there are increased color varieties of X. variatus — some very similar to the original ttype, and some differing slightly. Yours may be one of the latter, although I’d enjoy seeing a photo of it if possible to further I.D. it. I did not mean to infer that any of your fish’s finnage was elongate, but that the body itself is somewhat more elongate (on X. variatus) than that of X. maculatus. If there is no difference, and none have elongated bodies, I’m inclined to believe all your Platy’s are X. maculatus. Yes, its not easy to get good photos of our fish, with them constantly on the move at any given moment — not as easy as it looks.
The Balloon Platy’s are yet another development of the species through selective breeding, once the trait has shown itself. They are not the result of crossbreeding with Balloon Molly’s as one might be easily lead to believe. As you’ve suggested, with it, it is also the result of inbreeding (and line breeding) for this trait. Different color patterns other than the most recognized established ones may well be the result of unintential cross-breedings of different color strains in which “mutts”, such as Lenny points out, are produced. These are no less appreciated by the undiscerning hobbyist and are often stronger fish as a result of it, although care should be taken (restraint should be used) when contemplating the possible sale of their offspring to a pet shop, for instance. Still, this may be a new recognized variety unseen yet by many hobbyists, which just may prove to be popular especially (but not necessarily) if originally sold by your pet shop.
The heavy blue spotting, on what’s probably a very light blue background is the description of a recognized form/variety of the regular type X. maculatus (Blue Variegated Platy). For this pattern to be on your Balloon Platy merely indicates additional cross breeding of color varieties and body forms of this same species was involved to create yet another form of this same fish. As researching this is still stumping you, you may want to go to the official site of the American Livebearers Association, and ask around there. I’m sure there are experts there whom will know more. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
