X. Xiphidium is one of the natural/ wild species of the genus Xiphophorus and is usually classified as a "Platy" although some people put it with the Swordtails because of the small "sword".
It is a hardy and easy to keep and breed fish.

Darrell

Montoya,

I've had my original copy of "Enjoy your Modern Swordtails and Platys since the early 1970's I bought it at Woolworths 5 and 10.
Contact Mike Schadle, he usually has at least one copy of this book and many others.

Darrell

I have had the Aqualog All LIVEBEARERS & HALFBEAKS for a number of years and although the photography is great, I think that it could be a lot better especially the Fancy Swordtail and Platy sections.
There are a lot of photos of specimens Hifin, Lyretail and Plumetail that shouldn't represent the strains!(Poor Quality) Also there are a lot of photos of the same basic strains over and over.
I hope that if/ when they produce a revised issue that they include Koi strains and consult some experts (not me ) before labeling the strains (there are a lot of mislabeled strains).
Still it is a good book to have.

Darrell

montoya,

It would be impossible to list ALL strains of Fancy Swordtail/ Platy. First there are so many and second (Many of them have many different common names for the same strain) Sometimes a new/ different name is put on an existing strain to help sell it as a "New" strain, sometimes it's done out of ignorance (A breeder not knowing the name and putting a name on it).
I always suggest (Enjoy your Modern Swordtails and Platys) even though it's a small booklet, long out of print, Dr Joanne Norton lists the original basic common names and what they look like. Try to locate this book.

Darrell

Melody,

What you said is true, but those old books by Dr Norton gives the basic genetics (regardless of the species of Xiphophorus involved) and I suggest that anyone interested in working with Fancy Swordtails & Platies should obtain both books.

Darrell

Good! Now you need to locate a copy of "Fancy Platies" by Dr Joanne Norton if you don't already have it.

Darrell

Yes, I don't know how long you've been working with Fancy Livebearers, but until recent years most people (NOT ME) only thought of them as fish that you started the hobby with and then you were suppose to move "UP" to "ADVANCED" fish.

Darrell

You can search the web to find common names, but sometimes people put new/ different names on existing strains (the Bleeding Heart Platy which was first developed by Dr Myron Gordon before most of us were even born reappeared in the hobby and is sold as Red Tiger, German Tiger Platy etc., but it has the same genetics as the original Bleeding Heart Platy. There are at least a half dozen names which the Red/White/Red Koi Swordtail is sold under. What I'm saying is, common names are getting tricky now that it's Cool to raise Fancy Swordtails & Platies and a lot of people are working with them. When I did it during the 1980's people wondered why I didn't "step up" to African Cichlids!

Darrell

Strikeris,

X.Helleri variations would refer to variations in the natural form of Xiphophorus Helleri, I think what you are looking for are the "common" names used to describe the Fancy strains of Swordtail "Fancy" Swordtails. I don't like the use of X.Helleri when referring to the Fancies. I do use the term Fancy Xiphophorus to describe Fancy Swordtails & Platies, but I always include "Fancy" so people will know that I'm talking about aquarium strains which don't exist in the wild.

Darrell

Trag,

In my opinion, you have found one of the best sources for Fancy Xiphophorus genetics if you have the book enjoy your Modern Swordtails and Platys.
I would now try to acquire a copy of Fancy Platies also by the late/ great Dr.Joanne Norton.

Darrell