STRAINS OF HIFIN SWORDTAILS (NON-ALBINO)
Click on photos for descriptions

1- Hi-fin Hamburg swordtails (AKA "black Berlin" in the USA)

This strain has been part of my breeding program well before I even got serious about breeding hi-fin fancy Xiphophoprus.  It is sometime erroneously referred as "black Berlin" in the U.S.A.
I have developed two different color patterns; pure Hamburg with transparent fins and onother strain with orange/red colored fins.  These lines produce late- maturing males which tend to get very large with broad dorsal hi-fin development. They consistently produce both good dorsal hi-fin and color confirmations.

Body: metallic black with blue shine
Caudal: red OR transparent
Dorsal: red OR transparent
Eyes: non-albino

2- Hi-fin orange marble swordtails

Originally the hi-fin marble originated from a 2010 cross between hi-fin/sailfin blood red albino and hi-fin Hamburg lines.  The body is of an orange color with black markings.  This strain throws red albino time to time.  Specimens from this strain display huge sail-like shaped dorsal hifin, and their body size is plain gargantuan.  Late-maturing males can reach over over 15 cm in body size (NOT including sword).  Like the hifin/sailfin blood red albino strain, females from the marble line also display large wide and broad hifin dorsal.

Body: metallic black bands and markings over orange colored body
Caudal: orange
Dorsal: orange
Eyes: non-albino

3- Hi-fin orange tuxedo swordtails

This strain is an offshoot of my hifin red coral albino line.  Specimens from this line develop full body size as well as wide dorsal hifin.  A keeper...

Body: orange body with classic tuxedo pattern
Caudal: orange
Dorsal: orange
Eyes: non-albino

4- Hi-fin neon tuxedo swordtails

A striking looking strain whose red saddle back contrasts greatly with the black tuxedo markings of the lower section of the body.
It originated from a cross between hifin pineapple albino line and hifin orange tuxedo.  It occasionally produces albino offspring. 

Body: neon/gold body with tuxedo pattern and red saddle back.
Caudal: orange to red
Dorsal: orange to red
Eyes: non-albino

5- Hi-fin neon swordtails

Originated in 2011 from a cross between hi-fin "brick" and hi-fin pineapple albino swordtails.  A classic color pattern in the fancy swordtail hobby.

Body: neon with orange saddle back.
Caudal: orange
Dorsal: orange
Eyes: non-albino

6- Hi-fin "brick" swordtails

The original "red" color ever produced in the hobby back in 1930's.  Well before all the fancy red colors were even created, even less developed, "brick" swordtails ruled the world of fancy-colored swordtails.  In all its glory, "brick" swordtails are back, with highly developed dorsal hi-fin of course. 

Body: brick all over
Caudal: brick 
Dorsal: brick 
Eyes: non-albino

7- Hi-fin "ruby red" (aka German red) swordtails

Developed in Germany, "ruby red" swordtails are by-products of "red alpha" swordtails, and a crucial genetic component in producing quality "red alpha" specimens. Currently in hi-fin form and F3 - September 2015.

Body: dark red all over
Caudal: dark red
Dorsal: dark red
Eyes: non-albino

8- Low-fin "RED ALPHA" swordtails

Developed in Germany, a truly unique strain of swordtails. The color genetics requires a great deal of selective work, prioritizing velvety black ("red alpha") specimens to be crossing back to their dark red ("red red") siblings.  Bobby Ellermann from NJ obtained a few specimens generously donated by Wolfgang Brandt from Berlin (Germany), and successfully imported that strain in the USA. Bobby kindly sent me two impregnated females upon which I built my "red alpha" breeding stock.  Currently in F3 - September 2015.

Body: velvety black
Caudal: dark red
Dorsal: dark red
Eyes: non-albino

9- Low-fin peppermint swordtails (AKA pinto or piebal)
One of my favorite strain, the peppermint pattern is a true classic.  It is also known in the USA as Pinto or Piebald.  Yet another strain that I obtained from Darrell Mefford in 2006.  It produces 'all white', 'bleeding heart', as well as as red-spotted offspring.  The juveniles fish change color several times before they reach maturity, making this strain a very interesting one to work with.  As of September 2015, that strain is still being maintained.

Body: white, gray or blue with red patches
Caudal: transparent
Dorsal: transparent
Eyes: non-albino

10- Low-fin koi swordtails

A recent addition to the hobby, koi swordtails appeared roughly around 2008.  I have worked with a low-fin strain since 2010. This strain displays moderate body size.

Body: gray to blue
Caudal: transparent
Dorsal: transparent
Eyes: non-albino

11- Low-fin sanke swordtails

Also a recent addition to the hobby.  An attractive and recent tri-color strain, which as koi swordtails produces moderate body size. 

Body: gray to blue with red-cap and black markings
Caudal: transparent
Dorsal: transparent
Eyes: non-albino

Picture
Low-fin sanke swordtails - young pair