The platy and guppy are two of the most popular freshwater fish in home aquariums. They’re also some of the most common questions asked by aquarists. People often wonder if they can crossbreed them or what will happen when they do. These are good questions that have been answered with mixed results. Can You Breed Platies With Guppies?
The answer to the question is no. No, you cannot breed platies with guppies. There are many reasons for this, and some of them are biological, while others are practical.
So let’s take a look at what we know about breeding these two types of fish! And let me warn you, the result may not please you.
Breeding Two Species: What Does That Mean?
First off, let’s talk about what we mean when we say that two different species can breed together. This means that one organism can produce offspring from mating with another organism of the same kind but not its own kind. The reason platies cannot crossbreed with guppies is their chromosomes, which have different numbers of chromosomes than other organisms because they evolved faster than most other organisms on earth!
Can You Breed Platies With Guppies?
No, the platy and guppy fish are two different species
Platies and Guppies diverged from a common ancestor long ago, so they are considered different species.
To successfully cross-breed two vastly different organisms, you’ll need them to have the same number of chromosomes!
Otherwise, their reproductive cells may not match up in certain ways during sex cell production.
The only way to crossbreed these two fish is by artificially inseminating one with sperm from another species that will be compatible.
This means you can’t use your regular male platies for this procedure, so it’s important to have a variety on hand like tiger barb, rosy barb, or silver dollar fish.
Why Do Some People Believe They Have Successfully Cross Breed Platies And Guppies?
Some people believe that they have successfully cross-bred platies and guppies because of the way their fry look. The truth is, there are many different types of guppy fish, and each type has a slightly different appearance. This means that it’s not too hard to confuse one for another in certain situations!
It’s important to mention that successful crossbreeding can happen, but it most likely won’t. This is because even if they have children, their offspring may not be fertile.
Why Do Some People Try To Cross-Breed Platies And Guppies?
People try cross-breed platies and guppies for many reasons: they think a successful pairing will create more vibrant colors in their fry, the breeding may not be difficult at all (which is true), or they like to experiment.
Some people believe that these two types of fish would make great parent materials for hybrid fish.
Some people try to crossbreed platy and guppy fish because they’re curious or believe it will produce a stronger organism due to the mix of genes.
The problem is that this can’t happen unless both species have at least the same number of chromosomes.
The platy and guppy are two different species that will not crossbreed in a tank. But people often try to do so anyway because they want the best of both worlds without dedicating themselves completely to one type of fish or another.
This is common among beginners who have yet had much experience with breeding types of aquarium fish.
One important thing to remember is that most people will not succeed in cross-breeding these two species, and there are many reasons for this.
It’s also challenging because you need another type of fish in the tank as a surrogate father so that it won’t be your regular male platies.
And if they’re successful at all, they’ll still only have the fry for a few days because guppy fry is sensitive to temperature changes and will die quickly if they aren’t maintained in cool water.
What Fish Can Cross-Breed With Platies?
Only other species that have the same number of chromosomes as the platy fish can crossbreed with them. This includes other types of zebrafish and goldfish, for example! What about guppies? Guppies cannot breed with platies because they have different numbers of chromosomes.
You can even cross-breed swordtail and platy fish! Did you know that there are over 800 types of platies? This is because they can be bred with so many other fish species!
There are some fish that the platy does not produce fertile offspring with because of their different chromosome numbers. Examples include angelfish or any tigerfish. Therefore, it is important to research what types of cross-breeding are safe for your particular breed of fish.
What Fish Can Cross-breed With Guppy Fish?
The same is true for guppies! They cannot crossbreed with platy fish but can breed with other species with the same chromosomes, like molly or swordtail varieties.
It is possible to breed guppies with other fish species, but it depends on the coloration of the male and female. For example, if you have a black or dark blue male guppy and a white female guppy, they can breed together.
How Many Platies Should You Keep Together?
It is best to keep two male and three female platy fish in the same tank to breed with each other instead of trying to mate with their own species. More than this can lead to fighting between them, which could result in injuries or death.
It is not recommended to have more than three male, female platies, and guppies in the same tank because there will be too much competition for space and food. This can result in injury or death as well, so it’s best to use caution!
Why Is Male Platy Chasing Female Guppy And Vice Versa?
There is more than one reason why platy may be chasing after a guppy in your tank or vice versa:
Male platy fish will chase female guppies because he believes she’s mating with him. However, female platies can give birth in the presence of male guppies, so they may want to mate with her.
The male fish will chase after a female when he notices she’s carrying an egg sac (which happens sometimes). The reason why the female is doing this has to do with his hormones! Or, platy may be chasing after a guppy because they both want the same food.
Why Is My Female Platy Giving Birth In Presence Of Male Guppy?
This is not uncommon for female platies to give birth in the presence of male guppies! However, they actually prefer this environment to when she’s on her own or with other female platies.
This is because they can mate with the male guppie and have a chance of breeding! Sometimes, she may even give birth to fry if there are enough males in the tank that it’s hard for her to get away from them.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Platy Fish Eat Guppy Fry?
Yes, Platy fish do eat guppy fry. However, they don’t intend to do it out of pity or revenge. Rather, it is kind of their habit to eat anything that fits in their mouths within their reach.
How Many Platies Should You Keep Together?
It is best to keep two male and three female platy fish in the same tank to breed with each other instead of trying to mate with their own species. More than this can lead to fighting between them, which could result in injuries or death.
It is not recommended to have more than three male, female platies, and guppies in the same tank because there will be too much competition for space and food. This can result in injury or death as well, so it’s best to use caution!
Conclusion:
In conclusion, platies and guppies cannot breed with one another. However, it is important to research what types of fish can successfully breed together because not all of them are compatible.
There may be some risk involved in breeding these two species due to both differences and similarities between the breeds, but if you do so, it is best to be aware of the consequences and take precautions.
