Xiphophorus alvarezi / Wild, Albino, 4-line and Gold

    Striking for its intense red color, this population of
    Xiphophorus alvarezi is possibly the most intensely
    colored wild swordtail available. Quite hardy and prolific,
    they are sleeker and slightly smaller than the X. mayae.
    Though a number of mutations have appeared in the
    last couple years (see below), the wild, natural form is
    impossible to improve upon.

     This picture was sent by a customer that bought two pair at
     a convention last year and now keeps them in Texas!

    This is the adult male tank. Though having thrown
    a number of mutations, it is otherwise the most
    consistent swordtail here in both color and size.
    These are not those remaining after culling- these
    are all that have grown out male. When adult pairs
    are ordered, the best males are chosen from this
    30 gallon tank.

     Two older full sized males. The red intensifies as the fish
     gets older, and some appear to become nearly entirely
     red as they age.

    Over time, these heavy bodied males with
    distinct, well defined red lines began to appear.
    Choosing for this trait, over a period of 3+ years,
    slowly but gradually began to produce females
    that also possessed the multiple intense red lines.
 

    Crossing the 4-lined females (yes, there are 5 lines
    now, but initially when the trait first appeared there
    were only 4 lines) with males such as this one
    produced a wide range of traits, including both
    albinos and a translucent "Gold" morph that also
    possesses the bright red lines.

    One of the first photos of the new Gold line. These were
    all mutations, and most died inexplicably as they aged.
    Fortunately, after more than 30 were produced, two
    pair survived that were also fertile. Both males died
    shortly after impregnating 2 females. Fortunately,
    those two females have produced fry that are healthy
    and beginning to sex out. With continued success, these
    should be available for sale soon. Email me to be put 
    on a wait list for this fish, and contacted when they are
    ready to ship.
    selectaquatics@gmail.com


 

    One of the two fertile males that survived
    to father the fish that would establish the
    Gold line of X. alvarezi. For some reason
    the original group of Gold mutations all
    died, gradually over time, at about 4 months
    old. A new group of young that are the result
    of gold x gold crosses (not mutations) are
    proving to be far hardier than their parents,
    and will hopefully grow out to produce healthy,
    full sized fish.
 

    An albino female produced from the crossing of
    the 4-lined fish. Besides being albino, this fish
    also shows the striping influence from her parents.
 

    One of the new albino males. their color is intense
    with a long, bright yellow sword. These have
    reproduced well, and over a hundred are just
    beginning to sex out for sale.

 
    To be put on a wait list for this fish and contacted when
    they are ready to ship, email selectaquatics@gmail.com . 
    selectaquatics@gmail.com
 

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