Compared to the breeding varieties of Xiphophorus maculatus, the “common” Platy, there are only comparatively few breeding forms of the Parrot Platy. This is surprising, because this species is very variable by nature, hence the species name “variatus = the variable”. But perhaps this also makes it more complicated to fix color characteristics in a way that results in a uniform picture. The Xiphophorus variatus Highfin Orange is one of the few color variants that have existed for a long time.
Alpha males, i.e. the bosses in the ring, color themselves particularly attractively. With them the orange basic color is still covered by red, so that “Sunrise” or “Sunset” coloration develops. The high dorsal fin first appeared as a mutation in swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) and was transferred to the two Platy species via crossbreeding. Interestingly, female Highfin platies seem to be very fond of especially high-finned males, although there is no use for this trait in their natural instinctive repertoire.
For our customers: the animals have code 442883 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
