lyretail swordtails

[Far Thunder]

Hau kolas..

Looking for some input here..came across some lyretail swords in my LFS a
few weeks ago..for the novelty of them I picked up a trio.
The folks there said the male would likely be unable to mate due to the
"modified" fin configuration, although he would definitely try.
They told me the females would mate with "regular" male swords. Wasn't
too interested or worried about that aspect, so didn't pay
as much attention/ask questions as I should have been. They are in the
quarantine tank still, but today I notice three newborn fry hiding in
some cabomba. At the LFS these lyretail swords were in a species tank by
themselves, males and females. So my question is, at
some point there was some mating? anybody else have this variation of
swords, and if so, have any input on the mating of these?
Only other thing in the QT tank are some skunk cories and "creamsicle"
variant of lyretail mollies. Also have about a dozen molly
fry swimming about, birthed 10 days ago; there's no doubt the fry in
question are swords. Just curious as to whether the lyretail males can
actually mate.

TIA
-lila pilamaya

--
**FREE LEONARD PELTIER NOW**

[Frank]

Far Thunder wrote:

> Looking for some input here..came across some lyretail swords in my LFS a
> few weeks ago..for the novelty of them I picked up a trio.
> The folks there said the male would likely be unable to mate due to the
> "modified" fin configuration, although he would definitely try.

Yes, the finage around the male's gonopodium grows long along with the
tail and fins in the high-fin lyretales. The male can't breed because
of this - he can't guide his gonopodium.

> They told me the females would mate with "regular" male swords.

Yes, but you will get a very low % of high-fin lyretail young, less
than 10%. You can however get a male high-fin (not liretail) to bring
the % of high-fin lyretail fry up to 50 to 60%.

> So my question is, at
> some point there was some mating?

Eather with a regular or high-fin male, but not with a high-fin
lyretail male.

>anybody else have this variation of
> swords, and if so, have any input on the mating of these?
>Just curious as to whether the lyretail males can
> actually mate.....

Yes they can, by artificial insemination. Then 100% (or close to it) of
the fry are high-fin lyretails. Holding the male upside down in a wet
net, move the gonopodium from side to side a few times untill you see
sperm. Holding the female in a wet net, put her vent area on the sperm.
There will be enough sperm to fertilize both of your females. Doesn't
always work so try it two or three times a week untill it
does..................... Frank