đē Platy Fish (Xiphophorus maculatus)
The Platy Fish is one of the most beginner-friendly freshwater fish available. These colorful livebearers come in an amazing variety of colors and patterns, are incredibly hardy, and get along with almost any peaceful tankmate. If you're looking for an easy, colorful fish to start with, platies are an excellent choice.
đ Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
|---|---|
| Adult Size | 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) |
| Minimum Tank | 10 gallons (38 liters) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Origin | Central America, Mexico |
đ Popular Varieties
- Red Wag - Red body with black fins
- Mickey Mouse - Spot pattern on tail
- Sunburst - Orange/yellow gradient
- Blue - Iridescent blue
- Tuxedo - Two-tone coloring
- Salt & Pepper - Speckled pattern
â ī¸ Important Considerations
- Prolific breeders - Will have babies constantly
- Males can harass females - Keep more females
- Prefer hard water - Like guppies and mollies
- Hybridize with swordtails - Keep separate if pure lines matter
đ Tank Requirements
- Tank Size: 10 gallons minimum
- Plants: Appreciate live plants
- Current: Gentle to moderate
- Temperature: Room temp to tropical
Water Parameters
| Temperature | 68-79°F (20-26°C) |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.0-8.2 |
| Hardness | 10-28 dGH |
| Ammonia/Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | <40 ppm |
đŊī¸ Diet & Feeding
Omnivores that are easy to feed.
- Quality flakes - Staple
- Spirulina flakes - Good for color
- Frozen foods - Brine shrimp, bloodworms
- Blanched vegetables - Zucchini, peas
Feed 2-3 times daily in small amounts.
đ Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- Other livebearers (guppies, mollies, swordtails)
- Corydoras
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Peaceful barbs
- Snails and shrimp
Avoid
- Aggressive fish
- Large predatory fish
- Fin nippers
đļ Breeding
- Livebearers - Live fry, no eggs
- Gestation: 24-30 days
- Fry per batch: 20-80
- Easy breeding - Will breed without intervention
- Fry care: Plants help survival, crushed flakes for food
đĄ Tips for Success
- Keep 2-3 females per male
- Plan for babies - they breed constantly!
- Variety in diet enhances colors
- Weekly water changes keep them healthy
- Great beginner fish
đ Summary
Platies are the perfect beginner fish - hardy, colorful, peaceful, and easy to care for. Their wide variety of colors means there's a platy for every taste. Just be prepared for babies, and you'll have a thriving, colorful community in no time!