Platy/swordtail breeding?

[Erin_Sauerborn]

Can a male platy breed with a female swordtail? Does the male see the female sword as a potential mate or does he “know” she is not a platy, therefore not breeding ? If so, will it result in healthy fry? I have one male platy and 3 female swords in my 20g, just wondering whether I can expect them to breed or not (either way is fine). I just got them yesterday but so far the male doesn’t seem to show any interest in the females. ??‍

 

[CichlidFins]

Platies can hybridize with many other Xiphophorus species, so yes. Most male livebearers will try to mate with anything that moves, and I suspect many platys in the trade already have swordtail blood in their lines. Generally its not advised to hybridize 2 species but it has been done before. Many hybrids are often unstable and I do not know if this is one of the cases.