Fish cross-breeding could be incredibly fascinating since it produces completely new creatures.
The properties of both parents are present in the hybrids of many species, but they also have specific distinctive characteristics.
Can Platy and Molly breed? Let’s explore this topic in more detail and clarify any misconceptions regarding the issue of cross-breeding of these two species.
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Can Platy And Molly Breed?
The answer is no! It is not possible to breed mollies successfully with Platies. These fish don’t have a close genetic relationship to cross-breed.
Molly and Platy are livebearers. Instead of giving birth to baby fish, they lay eggs.
The livebearer males fertilize the females internally using the pointy anal fin. After getting fertilized, the fried fish develop inside these eggs.
The livebearer fish’s pregnancy will end with labor after the fry within the egg has developed. Finally, these creatures bear offspring that can swim freely!
You might assume that Molly and Platy can cross-breed because they are members of the Livebearer group.
However, interbreeding these species is impossible. While Molly is a member of the Poecilia family, Platy belongs to the Xiphophorus family.
They do not share DNA or genetic material and are members of different fish families. Meanwhile, the two species must be interrelated.
If you notice the fry swimming in your tank after living together for a while, they are already pregnant before you add them to this shared tank.
If these species breed, the eggs won’t get fertilized. In rare circumstances, the eggs get fertilized, but the fry will have genetic issues and die soon.
What Are The Differences Between Platy And Molly?
Both the tropical freshwater species Platies and Mollies are excellent choices for novice and experienced fish owners.
These species are livebearers, which means they will deliver fully developed fry rather than eggs.
They are active and vivid, which makes them relatively well-liked in the aquarist community.
Nevertheless, these two creatures are considerably different from one another both physically and biologically.
You may quickly identify such changes with the following descriptions, allowing you to care for your fish correctly.
Identifying the physical distinctions between these creatures will not be challenging for experienced aquarists.
We’ve noted some physical and biological distinctions between these creatures below for those just starting.
- Platies are members of the Xiphophorus genus, while Mollies belong to the Poecilia genus.
- Molly is a colorful tropical fish in many colors, including orange, green, white, and black.
- Platies mostly appear in orange, red, white, and yellow colors mixed with black spots.
- Platies typically reach a length of 5 to 6 cm, whereas mollies can get a dimension of 15 cm when completely grown.
- These two species cannot cross-breed because of significant genetic and DNA differences.
How To Encourage Molly To Breed?
The water temperature in your aquarium should be around 80℉ or moderately higher, with a pH level of 8.0.
Since these creatures appreciate brackish water, a small amount of salt might be helpful.
Yet, be careful, and avoid adding salt to an aquarium containing freshwater fish.
Because the algae serve as a staple food for parents and young, a planted aquarium is beneficial.
This species is a livebearer, so you should keep at least one Molly male with one female in the breeding tank.
Keep an eye out for indications of mating accompanied by the females’ girths increasing.
After childbearing, take the young fry and put them in the tank’s breeding box or nursery aquarium.
Giving these creatures a mixed diet of live things and fish flakes one or two times every day is advisable.
Since baby Mollies are toxic-sensitive, checking the water regularly and undertaking 50 percent water changes once a week is crucial.
If you want to know more tips to care for these Molly babies, you can refer to the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEMw3sBda6A
How To Encourage Platy To Breed?
If you want to breed Platies successfully, you should keep the water temperature in your aquarium at least 75℉ with a pH of 8.0.
Because platies prefer to reproduce, mating should occur soon after introducing a pair to your tank.
For Platies to survive in captivity, freshwater environments are necessary because they are tropical fish.
A thickly planted tank is advisable since fry will have a greater chance of surviving when the aquarium has a lot of vegetation for cover.
Because parents eat their offspring, it’s best to transfer newborn fry to another nursing tank as soon as possible.
Give these babies a diet rich in omnivore foods like fish flakes, brine shrimp, frozen vegetables, and bloodworms.
FAQs
What Fish Can Platys Breed With?
Platies can mate with swordtails and other Xiphophorus species.
Can Molly Breed With Other Fish?
The short answer is yes! Mollies and Guppies are compatible for cross-breeding if kept in the ideal tank conditions.
Can Molly Fish Give Birth Without Male?
No! The female Moly must get the sperm of the male to conceive. However, she can store sperm in her ovary for around eight months.
Thus, she won’t need to mate with a male after the eggs get fertilized.
How Often Does A Platy Have Babies?
Female Platy might be able to give birth once every four weeks in a communal tank if she is matched with a male.
How Many Fish Does Molly Give Birth To?
These fish may deliver from 40 to 100 fry. However, first-time pregnant and young Mollies may have fewer children.
Wrapping Up
Can Platy and Molly breed? These creatures are not compatible for cross-breeding as they do not have identical DNA or genetic relationships.
Yet, you can interbreed these creatures with other species. Platies can breed with swordtails, while Mollies are ideal for cross-breeding with guppies.
If you have further questions about this topic, please comment below. We’re willing to reply to them all. Thanks for taking the time to follow this post!
Tiffany is a content developer and freelance writer with more than five years of experience. She is a passionate fish lover who grew up in a household full of large aquariums. As a Content Developer for Koiusa.com, Tiffany creates and tests all of the helpful tips that you’ll find on the site.
