| There are two species of Platy, Xiphophorus | | | | all fish. |
| maculatus, and Xiphophorus variatus. Platys are | | | | Food |
| closely related to Swordtails and Xiphophorus helleri, | | | | The Platy is an omnivore and will eat some algae as |
| and Xiphophorus maculatus will freely interbreed with | | | | well as live food including Mosquito larvae (wrigglers) |
| Swordtails. The interfertility of Xiphophorus variatus | | | | and Daphnia. They do well on all normal fish foods. |
| with the others two species may be less, but hybrids | | | | Companions |
| can occur. The Platies and Swordtails we buy are | | | | The Platy is a peaceful fish and is a good fish for a |
| often not of pure species. | | | | community tank of small peaceful fish. The Platy |
| All three species come from Central America. | | | | lacks the long fins of the Guppy and is a faster |
| Xiphophorus variatus, commonly called the Variatus | | | | swimmer, so its companions can include some of the |
| Platy, appears to be able withstand slightly colder | | | | slightly aggressive fish that you would not put with |
| conditions than the other two species, and may be | | | | Guppies. You need to avoid any large, aggressive or |
| more suitable for an unheated tank in a reasonably | | | | predatory fish. |
| warm house than the other species, but all are | | | | Suitable companions include Rummy Nose Tetras, |
| basically tropical fish. Platies tend to be shorter but | | | | Harlequin Rasboras, Guppies, Endlers Guppies, Neon |
| thicker than Swordtails. | | | | Tetras, Peppered Catfish, White Cloud Mountain |
| Water Conditions | | | | Minnows and Zebra Danios. Most of these fish will eat |
| The platy is a tropical fish and I recommend a | | | | baby Platies. |
| temperature of 24 degrees C (75 degrees F). They | | | | Pest Fish |
| prefer harder water with some salt in it although | | | | Never release your pet fish or put them in the |
| they are quite adaptable. The platy appears to be | | | | position of being accidentally released. The Platy has |
| better able to survive higher Nitrite (NO2) levels than | | | | the potential to seriously damage fragile ecosystems. |
| most fish, but these should normally be avoided for | | | | |