Colours may vary from picture
Platies General Description
The Platy fish is a freshwater fish belonging to the genus Xiphophorus that is commonly lumped in with other livebearers like Swordtails, Mollies, and Guppies. However, these fish have many distinguishing traits that had made them a favorite with enthusiasts ever since they were introduced to the aquarium hobby in the 1900s. Century later, there are many Platies varieties on the market, in all colors and color combinations, but still retaining the original charm that made them so popular in the first place. Without asking much in return, Platies bring a lot of interest to any tank, especially if kept in groups. Their energetic swimming only draws attention to their pretty scales and delicate form.
Platies are fairly small fish, growing no more than 3 inches long, and they are peaceful and non-aggressive – this makes them a great addition to the community tank. To boot, their vibrant and vivid scales give them a striking appearance that doesn’t go unnoticed, no matter who their aquarium mates are. If you’re a novice hobbyist or an experienced aquarist, you will surely find room in your tank for these lovely, undemanding fish. Read on to learn more about the Platies and the care they require!
Feeding
Platies are an omnivorous species so they will likely accept anything you offer them. Feed your Platies a high-quality commercial flake or pellet food supplemented with fresh vegetables, spirulina algae, and brine shrimp or other fresh and frozen foods.
Common Name | Platy |
Family | Poeciliidae |
Origin | Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico |
Tank Level | Mid dweller |
Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallon |
Diet | Omnivore, eats most foods |
Breeding | Livebearer |
Care | Easy |
pH | 7.0 – 8.2 |
Hardness | 10-25 dGH |
Temperature | 64-77 F (18-25 C) |