Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

Freshwater Captive bred worldwide Usually captive bred

A stocky livebearer in many colour strains, among the easiest fish for a first tank. Males harass females, so keep more females. Fry appear regularly unless you keep a single sex.

Also called: Moon, Moon fish.

5 cm adult length, drawn to scale. deep body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

Item	Value	Because
Adult length	5 cm	Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank	60 L, at least 60 cm long estimated	The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish	5 L estimated	What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load	Class 2 of 5 estimated	How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature	20 to 26 C	Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH	7 to 8.2	Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness	GH 10 to 25, KH 6 to 14	Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow	Low	Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light	Moderate	Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size	Single fish is fine	Not a schooling species.
Temperament	Peaceful	Not territorial.
Swims in	Middle water	Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan	About 3 years	A fish is a long commitment.
Experience	Suits a first tank	A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps	Yes	Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Platy is an omnivore that swims in the middle of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.