Melody
Dec 26th 2006, 02:11 AM
The Simpson Swords
http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-HighFinBlkYlwSword-M-5-C.jpg
{Photo: Hifin Black Gold Swordtail, bred out by myself from a line obtained from Puppies, Fish & Critters here in BC}
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
Hifin Swordtails were originally called 'Simpson Swordtails' or 'Simpson High Fin Swordtails', bred from a hifin that showed up in the tanks of Mr. & Mrs Thomas Simpson around 1959. They kept it because they thought it was so cute....lol...little did they know that they would start a strain which would be featured in several magazines, several times over.
This little brick red male grew up and was given a few Red Velvet Swordtail girlfriends. The matings produced a vast majority of Hifins, indicating that the trait is a dominant one. The male was still breeding as an old-timer, crossed back into his offspring and their offspring and THEIR offspring.
The Simpsons put an ad in one of the magazines, thus beginning the distribution of these stunning Livebearers throughout the early 60's.
The introduction of the Hifin Swordtail influences two other species and their finnage. One was used in 1963 to develop the 'Topsail Platy' - a hifin version of X. Variatus bred by Bill Hearin. Shortly after that, Dr. Joanne Norton (my personal fishy hero), crossed the Simpson Swordtail with X. Maculatus, resulting in the 'Hifin Platy'.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/DM-HFPlaty-C.jpg
{Hifin Rubynose Variatus, bred by my friend Darrel Mefford}
The Lyretail Swordtail (first bred by Don & Oren Adams) was quickly crossed into the Simpson line to create the Hifin Lyretail Swordtail (not to be confused with the regular high dorsal associated with the Lyretail).
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-High-Fin_Sword-F-2-c.jpg
{Above Photo: This juvie Lyretail Hifin Swordtail is just beginning to develop her elaborate finnage)
http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-High-FinLyreSword-F-2-Sml-C.jpg
{Above Photo - Regular Lyretail Dorsal}
After these strains were established, the race was on for color variations, and it was a full blown 'fad' for years. Several well known breeders took the genes and ran with them, perfecting the art. They created bigger fish with finnage that was nothing short of breathtaking.
As with many strains though, there were 'issues'. The Hifin males were often small, their dorsals frequently thin or deformed, suspected to be caused and corrected by 'modifier' genes.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-High-FinLyre_Sword-F.jpg
{Photo: Hifin Lyretail juvie with a thin dorsal. She was culled from my line.}
Some say outcrosses are necessary, either to large Helleri strains or to Xiphophorus Platy's. The author in the ALA article suggests that perhaps the 'Nezzie' Swordtails could be used to improve the thickness of the Hifin Swordtails. I can see the logic in that but I hear the cross isn't easy.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-NezzieSwordtail.jpg
{Photo: Nezzie Swordtail}
I'd like to try both - outcrossing to the Variatus Platy and to Nezzies, since I own both. I find Nezzies to be somewhat delicate though, so I'm not sure if the cross will improve things or add more problems. Only one way to find out!
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
Although this is far from what I would call an article, some recognition is in order.
Sources:
- ALA 'Livebearers' issues & my memory of what I've learned from other ALA members.
- 'The Super Sword' by Lloyd E. Groenke (The Aquarium magazine)
- 'Enjoy Your Platy's & Swordtails' by Klaus Kallman
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
---------------------------------------------------------
©Please note: While you are welcome to link directly to this thread,
the contents are copyright Melody McKinnon and cannot be copied.
Thank you for respecting the effort that I have put into our content.
---------------------------------------------------------
http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-HighFinBlkYlwSword-M-5-C.jpg
{Photo: Hifin Black Gold Swordtail, bred out by myself from a line obtained from Puppies, Fish & Critters here in BC}
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
Hifin Swordtails were originally called 'Simpson Swordtails' or 'Simpson High Fin Swordtails', bred from a hifin that showed up in the tanks of Mr. & Mrs Thomas Simpson around 1959. They kept it because they thought it was so cute....lol...little did they know that they would start a strain which would be featured in several magazines, several times over.
This little brick red male grew up and was given a few Red Velvet Swordtail girlfriends. The matings produced a vast majority of Hifins, indicating that the trait is a dominant one. The male was still breeding as an old-timer, crossed back into his offspring and their offspring and THEIR offspring.
The Simpsons put an ad in one of the magazines, thus beginning the distribution of these stunning Livebearers throughout the early 60's.
The introduction of the Hifin Swordtail influences two other species and their finnage. One was used in 1963 to develop the 'Topsail Platy' - a hifin version of X. Variatus bred by Bill Hearin. Shortly after that, Dr. Joanne Norton (my personal fishy hero), crossed the Simpson Swordtail with X. Maculatus, resulting in the 'Hifin Platy'.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/DM-HFPlaty-C.jpg
{Hifin Rubynose Variatus, bred by my friend Darrel Mefford}
The Lyretail Swordtail (first bred by Don & Oren Adams) was quickly crossed into the Simpson line to create the Hifin Lyretail Swordtail (not to be confused with the regular high dorsal associated with the Lyretail).
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-High-Fin_Sword-F-2-c.jpg
{Above Photo: This juvie Lyretail Hifin Swordtail is just beginning to develop her elaborate finnage)
http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-High-FinLyreSword-F-2-Sml-C.jpg
{Above Photo - Regular Lyretail Dorsal}
After these strains were established, the race was on for color variations, and it was a full blown 'fad' for years. Several well known breeders took the genes and ran with them, perfecting the art. They created bigger fish with finnage that was nothing short of breathtaking.
As with many strains though, there were 'issues'. The Hifin males were often small, their dorsals frequently thin or deformed, suspected to be caused and corrected by 'modifier' genes.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-High-FinLyre_Sword-F.jpg
{Photo: Hifin Lyretail juvie with a thin dorsal. She was culled from my line.}
Some say outcrosses are necessary, either to large Helleri strains or to Xiphophorus Platy's. The author in the ALA article suggests that perhaps the 'Nezzie' Swordtails could be used to improve the thickness of the Hifin Swordtails. I can see the logic in that but I hear the cross isn't easy.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-NezzieSwordtail.jpg
{Photo: Nezzie Swordtail}
I'd like to try both - outcrossing to the Variatus Platy and to Nezzies, since I own both. I find Nezzies to be somewhat delicate though, so I'm not sure if the cross will improve things or add more problems. Only one way to find out!
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
Although this is far from what I would call an article, some recognition is in order.
Sources:
- ALA 'Livebearers' issues & my memory of what I've learned from other ALA members.
- 'The Super Sword' by Lloyd E. Groenke (The Aquarium magazine)
- 'Enjoy Your Platy's & Swordtails' by Klaus Kallman
~~~~~~~~~~ :tropicalfish: ~~~~~~~~~~
---------------------------------------------------------
©Please note: While you are welcome to link directly to this thread,
the contents are copyright Melody McKinnon and cannot be copied.
Thank you for respecting the effort that I have put into our content.
---------------------------------------------------------