chance in sex?
- Thread starter aidanchick
- Start date
Platies and Swordtails do not change sex. Serial hermaphrodism seems reserved for most saltwater varieties, and some fish, like parrotfish, when the dominate male dies, the alpha female will become the new super-male and take over the harem.
What you most likely have is what is known as a "late" male. In swordtails, mollies, and platies some males develop their secondary sexual characteristics early in life. These males are usually smaller than females, and not very long lived. Every now and again you'll get a "late" male, one that doesn't develop secondary sexual characteristics until it is a good 2" or so. They usually look like females.
I don't know the exact reason why, but my assumption is out of population pressure. I've noticed in my own tanks at work when I raise baby livebearers in crowded tanks, the males will develop full secondary sexual characteristics and start harrassing females to mate when they're even less than an 1" in length. Females can be fertailized at fry, but it doesn't mean you'll get a very large or successful spawn from them. I gather the life cycle is "sped up" due to the population pressure to breed and die therefore to make way for the new broods.
In less crowded tanks, there is no pressure, so the fish take longer to mature, thus reaching a larger size before reaching sexual matruity. These large fish are usually throw the best spawn.
~~Colesea
What you most likely have is what is known as a "late" male. In swordtails, mollies, and platies some males develop their secondary sexual characteristics early in life. These males are usually smaller than females, and not very long lived. Every now and again you'll get a "late" male, one that doesn't develop secondary sexual characteristics until it is a good 2" or so. They usually look like females.
I don't know the exact reason why, but my assumption is out of population pressure. I've noticed in my own tanks at work when I raise baby livebearers in crowded tanks, the males will develop full secondary sexual characteristics and start harrassing females to mate when they're even less than an 1" in length. Females can be fertailized at fry, but it doesn't mean you'll get a very large or successful spawn from them. I gather the life cycle is "sped up" due to the population pressure to breed and die therefore to make way for the new broods.
In less crowded tanks, there is no pressure, so the fish take longer to mature, thus reaching a larger size before reaching sexual matruity. These large fish are usually throw the best spawn.
~~Colesea
i was just going to ask the same thing check out this web page http://www.heathland.net/Tropical/Livebearers.htm
