Platy size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 5 cm. Record sizes among the 15 Poeciliidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Tiger Teddy) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).

Platy tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Platy water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 20–26 °C, pH 7.0–8.4, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Cooler than most Poeciliidae on LumaReef (22–28 °C).

Platy tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 66 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Emperor tetra, Zebra danio, and Cherry barb.

FreshwaterIn the market50 coinsCommon

Platy

Xiphophorus maculatus

A calm, steady mid-water fish whose males actually tolerate each other.

The Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 20–26 °C.

Size: 5 cm
Smallest tank: 60 cm
Temperature: 20–26 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature20–26 °C

pH7.0–8.4

Hardness10–25 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 5 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres18 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres51 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres85 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres185 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres342 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres411 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along66 species

and 42 more species

Caution23 species

Not together10 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Classification

OrderCyprinodontiformes
FamilyPoeciliidae
GenusXiphophorus
SpeciesXiphophorus maculatus

In other languages

English: Southern Platyfish
Spanish: Platy arcoíris
Russian: Пецилия красная
Japanese: サザンプラティフィッシュ
Chinese: 花斑劍尾魚(滿魚)

Quick answers

Platy size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 5 cm. Record sizes among the 15 Poeciliidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Tiger Teddy) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).
Platy tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Platy water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 20–26 °C, pH 7.0–8.4, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Cooler than most Poeciliidae on LumaReef (22–28 °C).
Platy tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 66 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Emperor tetra, Zebra danio, and Cherry barb.
Platy: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 5 together.
Platy and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.