Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
Family: Poeciliidae • Origin: Central America
Platies are chunky, colorful livebearers available in red, orange, blue, and many pattern varieties. Extremely hardy and peaceful.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
3"
Temperature
70-80°F
pH
7-8
Lifespan
3 years
School Size
3+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
10-25 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Very hardy — great for cycling new tanks
- • Prefers hard alkaline water
- • Easy breeder — separate sexes if unwanted
- • Comes in many color varieties
- • Peaceful with everything
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods, blanched vegetables.
Compatibility Notes: Extremely peaceful. Prefers hard alkaline water. Easy breeder.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 3+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 70–80°F
- pH Range
- 7–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 10–25
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Extremely peaceful. Prefers hard alkaline water. Easy breeder.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- live bearer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 3 years
Ideal For
10 galloncommunitybeginnerskids
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
72-82°FpH 6.8-7.810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+2.5"
Similar Species
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
72-82°FpH 7-8.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+4.5"
Balloon Molly
Poecilia sphenops var.
72-82°FpH 7-8.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Variatus Platy
Xiphophorus variatus
68-77°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+2.5"
Limia Nigrofasciata
Limia nigrofasciata
72-82°FpH 7-8.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 4+2.5"